Loose Manhole Covers Are a Danger to Drivers

Posted: September 1, 2019

manhole with loose coverSafe drivers tend to look out for possible obstacles and attempt to avoid accident situations. As the day goes by, the vast majority of drivers manage to avoid any real problems and get home safe. But there are some drivers who come across dangers that are not very common at all. Some of the most common street features, can become extremely dangerous to even the safest drivers.

Loose Manhole Covers

Manholes are used by a variety of city departments to cover access to features such as underground phone lines, sewers, and underground water lines. Manhole covers are thick, metal discs that cover the manholes and safely allow traffic to pass. A manhole can become loose due to the vibration of traffic. It can be left open by a forgetful city crew, or it can be loosened by people looking to cause trouble. When a car hits that manhole cover, it can result in a very serious car accident.

Sunken Manholes And Drains

When cities install storm drains or manholes, they are supposed to do their best to make those features flush with the street. But sometimes a manhole or drain winds up several inches below street level. An improperly placed manhole cover can create a serious danger for drivers. It can be very frustrating for a driver to be trapped in their lane by traffic on both sides as they drive straight at a manhole below street level. It can be even more frustrating when that driver tries to avoid the sunken manhole and winds up driving through a sunken storm drain instead.

Who Is Responsible for Accidents Caused by Manhole Covers?

Loose manhole covers generally wind up being the responsibility of the city or town in which they are located. However, it is not always easy to get a city to pay for damages to your vehicle. This is where an attorney can help.

Car Accident? Call William Mattar.

If you drive over a loose or sunken manhole cover, you could experience some serious damage to your vehicle. Such an incident can even cause you to become injured. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer after a car accident, we encourage you to give our legal team a call at (844) 444-4444 to review your case and see if a personal injury claim can be made.

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