One of the most basic responsibilities of any local government is to ensure the safety of public roads. If local authorities fail in this basic duty of care, residents may begin to wonder if their tax dollars are being spent effectively. Recently, Cobb County residents have voiced these kinds of concerns, specifically highlighting a dangerous curve in a major road section. What can you do if you were injured in a Cobb County car accident caused by an unsafe road?
Homeowners Along Blackwell Road Have Had Enough
In late February 2025, numerous homeowners along Blackwell Road in Cobb County raised serious safety concerns about a dangerous curve. These individuals say that this curve has caused numerous crashes over the years—and they claim that these accidents were not necessarily caused by driver negligence. These homeowners have had to deal with cars crashing into their backyards, destroying mailboxes, and causing other forms of property damage. These accidents have also injured several motorists.
Some say that Cobb County authorities are not doing enough to address this issue. In response to these concerns, the local government has reduced the speed limit to 30 miles per hour – but the homeowners say that this is not going to make much of a difference.
These individuals have all kinds of worrying stories to tell. Some say that they have seen vehicles becoming airborne after losing control of the curve. Others say that their backyards have been destroyed on multiple occasions, and some of these homeowners have to continuously repair their fences. Some vulnerable seniors are now too scared to get their mail, as venturing close to the road would put them in danger.
One resident says that after the local government installed various warning signs, motorists crashed into these signs with such force that they ended up in his yard. One might argue that this story illustrates the ineffectiveness of the government’s response.
Aside from the homeowners, drivers attempting to navigate this bend in the road also face serious hazards. The curve has caused many serious injuries, and homeowners have witnessed some truly horrific crashes. One resident says that he witnessed first responders desperately trying to extricate a victim from a mangled wreck, and it was hours before the victim was freed.
Can You Sue a Local Government for a Dangerous Road?
Technically speaking, it is possible to sue a county or municipal government for failing to improve road safety. This is one of the few scenarios in which it might be possible to pursue a car accident lawsuit for a single-vehicle crash.
If a plaintiff can establish that the local government was aware (or should have been aware) of serious traffic hazards, it might be possible to hold them liable for injuries. However, these kinds of lawsuits can be challenging. It is also worth noting that Cobb County officials did take action after becoming aware of these complaints by reducing the speed limit to 30 miles per hour. One might argue that this is a reasonable and sufficient step to improve the safety of the road.