Unsafe driveways with hidden dips, steep curbs, or poor design can cause serious car damage and injuries. Learn how to hold property owners accountable with KAASS LAW.
Everyday driveways may seem harmless—but when poorly designed or maintained, they pose a real danger to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. In California, unsafe driveways cause accidents that result in significant property damage, personal injury, and legal disputes.
At KAASS LAW, we represent clients who have suffered because of unsafe transitions between public roads and private properties. This blog explains how these accidents happen, who may be at fault, and what injured victims can do to recover compensation.
What Makes a Driveway Unsafe?
Not all driveways meet safety standards. Property owners, especially commercial facilities like gas stations, retail centers, and restaurants, have a legal duty to maintain safe access for vehicles. When they ignore this duty, injuries and damages often follow.
Here are common features of unsafe driveways:
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Steep or Sudden Dips: Excessive slopes cause cars to scrape, bottom out, or lose control.
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Unmarked Curbs or Elevation Changes: Sharp changes in level without warning signs or paint can cause tires to blow out or damage vehicle undercarriages.
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Narrow Exits and Entrances: Poor visibility or tight turns lead to collisions with oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
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Cracked or Uneven Surfaces: Uneven pavement makes it difficult for drivers to enter or exit safely, especially at night.
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Lack of Signage: No signs to indicate a driveway or change in elevation put drivers at risk.
Where Unsafe Driveways Cause the Most Harm
You’ll often find unsafe driveways at:
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Strip malls and shopping centers
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Drive-thru restaurants and fast food chains
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Apartment complexes with older infrastructure
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Sloped driveways on hillsides or in flood zones
For example, a driver pulling into a sloped driveway at night might not notice a deep dip. That driver could hit the pavement, lose control, or damage the vehicle’s undercarriage, resulting in costly repairs or injuries.
Real Risks of Driveway-Related Accidents
Hazardous driveways can cause:
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Vehicle Damage: Scraped bumpers, broken axles, popped tires, or undercarriage damage from sudden dips or ledges.
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Bodily Injuries: Whiplash, broken bones, spinal trauma, or concussions from sudden jolts or crashes.
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Pedestrian Accidents: In narrow or poorly marked driveways, drivers may not see pedestrians or cyclists.
Even a low-speed driveway accident can lead to high repair costs and medical bills. The impact of these accidents should not be underestimated.
Who Is Liable for Unsafe Driveway Accidents?
California law requires property owners to maintain safe premises, including driveways, ramps, and other access points. When a poorly designed or maintained driveway causes injury or damage, the property owner may be liable.
The legal theory behind these cases falls under premises liability. To prove fault, the victim must show:
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The property had a hazardous condition (like a dangerous curb or slope).
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The owner knew or should have known about it.
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They failed to repair, redesign, or warn about the danger.
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That hazard directly caused the injury or accident.
In cases involving commercial properties, multiple parties may share responsibility, including the property owner, manager, or contractor who designed the access point.
Can the City Be Liable?
The unsafe area of a driveway could span public land or join a city-maintained road. When parts of the defective area extend onto city property, the government entity may share responsibility. A timely filing of a government claim demands absolute compliance with specified deadlines.
California law establishes that victims of injuries must properly notify authorities about their situations when doing so within six months after their incident took place.
What Damages Can You Recover in an Unsafe Driveway Case?
If you were injured or your car was damaged due to an unsafe driveway, you may be entitled to compensation for:
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Medical expenses
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Lost income
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Pain and suffering
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Property damage (e.g., car repair or replacement)
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Future treatment or therapy
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Emotional distress
At KAASS LAW, we work with engineers and accident reconstruction experts to prove how driveway design or neglect led to our clients’ losses.
What to Do After an Accident Involving an Unsafe Driveway
When a hazardous driveway makes you suspect an accident took place, you need to follow these guidelines:
- Take pictures including slopes and borders as well as warning indicators (or their absence), together with evidence of vehicle damage from the scene.
- Hospital authorities should treat any injury due to even minor shock forces.
- Notify the manager of a commercial property about the incident, then demand written documentation of the event.
- You should ask a personal injury lawyer to determine if your case has merit, alongside identifying the responsible parties.
Why Choose KAASS LAW for Unsafe Driveway Cases
We don’t just accept the surface story. Our Glendale-based attorneys conduct in-depth investigations, document hazards, and hold property owners accountable when unsafe driveways cause harm.
At KAASS LAW, we offer:
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Free consultations
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Multilingual staff
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Experienced trial attorneys
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Personalized attention to your case
Our goal is to get you the maximum compensation while easing the stress of the legal process.
Contact KAASS LAW Today
Don’t let an unsafe driveway injury go unchallenged. Whether you’ve suffered damage to your vehicle or serious bodily harm, KAASS LAW is ready to fight for your rights.
Call us today at (310) 943-1171
Visit: www.kaass.com