Sean O’Rourke | November 21, 2025 | Personal Injury
A bridge collapse can cause widespread destruction and claim lives in an instant. These catastrophes rarely stem from a single failure. Many factors can contribute to weakening the structure. If not repaired, the bridge can become too weak to bear the weight placed upon it.
Safety experts study these events to prevent future tragedies and protect public infrastructure. Disaster can strike when bridges fail to meet design, maintenance, or environmental standards.
How Bridge Collapses Happen
A bridge collapse happens when the structure fails under normal stress. It can occur for various reasons, including inadequate maintenance and natural disasters. Many small errors or lapses in responsibility usually lead to a collapse. This is where liability becomes problematic. There can be several entities responsible for a collapse.
Fortunately, collapses are somewhat rare, but they can be devastating when they happen. If they survive, victims may be dealing with severe, lifelong injuries.
The Role of Inspections and Negligence in Bridge Failures
Inspection programs form the backbone of bridge safety. Skilled inspectors assess cables, joints, and supports for wear or damage. They perform stress tests and visual assessments to identify early warning signs.
When conducted correctly, these inspections identify structural issues before they lead to failure. When done poorly—or not at all—they allow deterioration to progress unnoticed.
Inspection reports that missed or ignored red flags are at the root of many bridge disasters. Negligence magnifies these risks. Sometimes agencies identify problems but fail to take prompt corrective action. Bureaucratic delays, budget cuts, or misjudgment of severity can stall necessary repairs.
One example of this is the 2007 collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis. This disaster exposed the cost of ignoring known structural deficiencies. It also demonstrated how failure to act upon inspection results can be deadly. Bridge safety requires not only detection but decisive response.
Who May Be Liable After a Bridge Collapses?
Liability after a bridge collapse often involves multiple parties, which can include:
- Engineers, for design miscalculations or flawed specifications
- Construction firms, if they deviate from plans, use inferior materials, or ignore safety
- Maintenance contractors, for failing to inspect or repair
- Government agencies, if they fail to act on warnings or allow unsafe bridges to remain in service
- Private companies that operate toll bridges, depending on the facts
These cases involve a highly technical investigation to identify causes and liable parties. Potential evidence includes design records, construction data, and inspection histories.
Compensation Available for Victims of Bridge Collapses
Victims of a bridge collapse may be able to seek compensation for a wide range of damages. They can file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against any liable parties. The families of victims who did not survive can file wrongful death claims.
Damages in a bridge collapse case could include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages, if victims’ injuries keep them out of work
- Reduced future earning potential
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral costs and other wrongful death damages for the loss of a loved one
The amount of compensation available depends on many factors. A personal injury lawyer can help you calculate these damages.
Contact Our Houston Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
A bridge collapse can change lives in seconds. Victims of these disasters can face overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial challenges. A Houston personal injury attorney with experience in infrastructure failure can help. They can uncover what went wrong and identify the responsible parties.
Call Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (281) 667-4081. We can review design records, inspection logs, and maintenance reports in your case. This evidence will help us build a clear picture of liability.
Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
440 Louisiana St Suite 1115, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 667-4081
About The Author
Sean O’Rourke earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and is licensed to practice in Texas. He frequently assists clients with their legal needs in Houston, with a focus on personal injury cases, especially those involving motor vehicle accidents (such as cars, commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, & motorcycles). Click here to view some of the amazing case results that Sean has successfully handled.
Location: Houston, TX