Car Accidents in Construction Areas
Road repair and construction are necessary to maintain road safety. As roads become worn down and damaged, they can pose a hazard to drivers. Unfortunately, the construction that is required to keep roads safe can pose a threat. Many car accidents take place near road construction, and they can be extremely damaging to drivers, passengers, and construction workers.
When a car accident occurs in a construction zone, injury victims are likely to be unsure of who is responsible for accident damages. Car accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can assist individuals in Daytona Beach, FL, Palm Coast, FL, and surrounding areas in going after liable parties for the economic and non-economic losses related to a car accident.
Road Construction Dangers
Roadwork and construction offers numerous benefits to drivers and residents in the area. Unfortunately, while construction is taking place, it brings about a lot of hazards as well. Construction areas should have adequate signs, warnings, and other markers to highlight dangers so that drivers stay safe. Unfortunately, road construction sites are not always as organized as necessary. And even when they are, there are certain risks that are inherent to construction zones.
Some of the greatest dangers of road construction include:
- Loose rocks, gravel, and/or debris
- Presence of machinery and other construction equipment
- Confusing signage
- Fallen cones and/or misplaced signs
- Unsafe behavior by construction workers
- Narrow lanes of traffic
- Changes in familiar driving routes
- Driver confusion and/or failure to properly navigate the construction area
How Common Are Car Accidents in Construction Zones?
The number of car accidents that take place in construction zones each year is not particularly high when compared to other types of car crashes. However, only a small percent of the country’s roadways are under construction at any given time. What should be a concern to drivers is that fatal car crashes in work zones have increased recently.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), fatal crashes in work zones increased by 11 percent between 2018 and 2019, while fatal crashes outside of work zones actually decreased by two percent. The total number of work zone crash fatalities in 2018 was 757. This number increased to 842 in 2019. According to the FHWA, the majority of these crashes took place in construction zones on arterial roadways (high-capacity urban roads), followed closely by road construction sites on interstates.
Liability for Accident Damages
There are a lot of different factors that can contribute to a car accident involving road construction. It is important to consider the details of an accident so that all liable parties can be held accountable for accident damages, which may include pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Depending on what contributes to a construction site car crash, liability may be held (or shared) by:
- The driver of an involved vehicle
- A construction worker
- The construction company
- The city/municipality in charge of the construction project
Contact Us
Car accidents near road construction can be complex, but the car accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau know how to sort out accident details to establish liability so that we can pursue maximum compensation for accident damages. To discuss your case with our legal team, contact our law firm online, or call our Daytona Beach office at (386) 258-7313.
