Highway Accidents

The Highway Authority, normally the County Council in the case of most roads and pavements, has a duty to repair and maintain the structure of the highway. They have to maintain highways so that they are reasonably safe.  

If you suffer a personal injury as a result of their failure to maintain the structure properly you are entitled to make a claim for compensation.

In simple terms, for you to have a successful claim it would have to be shown that the particular defect constitutes a danger to pedestrians, and that the Highway Authority has no system of inspection and maintenance in place which might have identified the defect.  

Water, electricity, gas, cable and telephone companies, all of which have apparatus in and under pavements and highways, can also be held responsible if you suffer an accident as a result of work carried out by them.