How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Traffic Safety

TEXAS. As the government shutdown enters its third week, 800,000 government workers are on the job without pay, beneficiaries of federal programs are at risk of losing benefits, and federal agencies are running only essential services. According to the Washington Post, the Federal Highway Safety Administration is running normally, for now. Life support jobs, safety positions, and positions which have funding for multiple years are still being paid for. However, according to NPR, private companies have had to pick up the slack when it comes to maintaining roads in the country’s national parks. NPR reports that some national parks have closed because they don’t have staff to maintain them. In parks where individuals rely on access for their livelihoods, private companies and individuals are maintaining roads and cleaning trash, NPR reports. If injuries happen due to poorly maintained roads, who is to be held responsible in these cases? The private companies doing a good deed, or the government agencies that have failed to maintain these services. Personal injury lawyers could find themselves facing complex personal injury cases in the coming weeks.

However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has had to suspend some operations. The rulemaking and enforcement division involving vehicle safety will be closed. Recall information may also not be reviewed while the government remains shut down. This means that the public may not receive crucial information about car safety issues for weeks, if the shutdown continues.

The Federal Transit Administration may also have to stop funding certain transit projects. This means that construction sites may remain in states of half-repair until the government shutdown stops. Unrepaired or half-repaired roads can create road hazards for drivers, motorcyclists, and other vehicles. Drivers are wise to use extra caution around road repair sites in the coming weeks, because these repair sites may not be staffed and debris from these sites might be present on highways.

So, what rights do you have if you have been injured or hurt during the government shutdown? The good news is that essential services are still in effect. Police are still working, and ambulance drivers are still on the job to get injured individuals to the emergency room. However, when it comes to injuries related to construction sites that have been left in states of half-repair, accident victims might want to consider their rights. While it can be difficult to pursue a lawsuit against the government, a case where a construction site remained unmaintained due to the government shutdown could leave victims with a strong case should a person get injured or hurt. The Cooper Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Texas who are closely watching how the government shutdown will affect personal safety in the coming weeks. If you have been hurt due to an unmaintained construction site due to the government shutdown, consider reaching out to a personal injury lawyer today. The Cooper Law Firm may be able to help you make a claim under the law.

Cooper Law Firm
501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037