The sole purpose of a bridge is to provide safe passage for cars, pedestrians, and even animals from one side to the other over an obstacle like a body of water or road. The first bridges were more than likely caused by nature, such as fallen trees, branches, or rocks stacked up in a river, but bridges today are magnificent works of architecture that have become synonymous with the culture and history of countries all over the world.
And while many people know about bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or London Bridge, the fact is that most bridges in America are on back roads in small towns and can potentially pose a serious threat to drivers and surrounding people if they fail and collapse. And when bridges fail to provide safe passage, they could seriously injure or even kill people who use them.
Dangers of Bridge Collapses
The most common cause of bridge collapses is faulty foundations. In fact, almost 60 percent of all collapses involve foundation failure, but bridges can also give out because of years of wear and tear from the elements, faulty design, or missed inspections. If you are a victim of a car crash your vehicle may:
- Roll over because of falling debris
- Skid off the road while trying to dodge debris
- Skid into a body of water and become submersed
- Get crushed by the falling structure
Bridge collapses are extremely serious and possibly deadly, and many of them could have been avoided with proper maintenance and inspection. Municipalities may be liable for bridge collapse injuries that occur as a result of improper maintenance.
If your or a loved one has been injured because of negligence, visit the website of the Lake Geneva car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.