Baltimore Shoulder Drop-Off Attorney
On a road or a highway, the shoulder is an area of extra space where you can pull over if you have car problems or need to address other emergent situations. The shoulder is meant to be a place of safety. However, if the shoulder has a steep drop-off, it can actually put you at risk of rollovers and other accidents.
Municipalities and road construction crews are responsible for building and maintaining safe roadways. If they fail in this duty to you, the edges can erode, resulting in dangerously steep shoulder drop-offs. If you have suffered in a car accident due to a steep shoulder drop-off, you may be entitled to financial compensation to aid with your medical bills and other expenses. Contact a Baltimore shoulder drop-off lawyer from Belsky, Weinberg & Horowitz, LLC, today at 410-234-0100 to learn more.
The Dangers of Shoulder Drop-Offs
Over time, the regular wear from traffic as well as the effects of erosion can gradually eat away at the ground surrounding the road. This can result in the roadway being several inches taller than the ground. If the shoulder is even two inches taller than the ground, a vehicle that pulls off onto the shoulder can be exposed to the following dangers:
- Tire damage from rubbing against the edge of the shoulder
- Tire blowouts when the edge of the asphalt cuts into the rubber
- Rollovers as one side of the car tips over the drop-off
- Loss of control as the driver tries to get back on the road and overcorrects
A steep shoulder drop-off creates a condition called pavement-edge drop-off, or PEDO. In one study, PEDO was listed as a primary cause of 30% of accidents on rural two-lane roads.
Contact Us
PEDO, or steep shoulder drop-offs, are incredibly dangerous roadway failures that should not be ignored. Municipalities and road construction crews are responsible for making the roads safe for drivers, including you and your loved ones. If they have allowed such dangerous conditions to persist, resulting in your car accident, then you may wish to file a civil lawsuit. To discuss your case, contact a Baltimore shoulder drop-off attorney from Belsky, Weinberg & Horowitz, LLC, at 410-234-0100 today.

