Stockton Road Safety
Ever wonder who is responsible for Stockton road safety? This article discusses the responsibilities of the Stockton Public Works Department in keeping our streets safe.
Duty of Care to Properly Maintain Stockton Streets
In many traffic accidents and fatalities, one of the drivers might be found responsible and receive a ticket for his or her negligence or poor driving decisions. However, in other cases, the city, state, or federal government might fail to fulfill their duty of care to the residents when they do not adequately maintain the streets, lights, or other areas in their jurisdiction that could affect motorists. For example, a burnt-out traffic signal could easily confuse a driver, resulting in a severe accident that might not be either party’s fault. However, assigning liability can prove challenging without the insight of a skilled personal injury lawyer with the background to know when the city has not lived up to the expected standard of care.
An Overview of the Stockton Public Works Municipal Service Center
The Stockton Public Works Municipal Service Center is responsible for maintaining the following:
- Street lights
- Sewer problems or plugged storm drains
- Street trees
- Traffic signals
- Potholes
- Park maintenance problems
- Damage to curbs, gutters, or sidewalks and
- Illegal dumping.
The center is open weekdays from 6 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Even so, problems often occur after hours and might not be reported until an accident happens. The Stockton Fire Department Dispatch Center handles after-hours emergencies, including:
- Traffic signal issues
- Street flooding
- Overflowing manholes or
- Stop signs that have been knocked over.
Liability
However, the average citizen might not report a burnt-out traffic light or missing stop sign until an accident happens. Depending on the injury, the city could be liable in these cases and need to pay for any damages to the victims, including possible pain and suffering. A seasoned personal injury lawyer can further investigate the reasons for an accident, thoroughly examining all aspects of the case.
Personal Injury Attorney Serving Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton Personal Injury Attorney. If you believe that the city’s failure to maintain street signs, traffic lights, or other municipal property contributed to an accident, you might want to secure the services of our law firm. Whether you or a family member suffered a broken bone, brain injury, or even a wrongful death, you can discuss your concerns with us. Call me for free, friendly advice at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400. You can also contact me online at this link.
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Image Attribution: By Steve Davis (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons