Road construction zones are dangerous and can cause accidents. While it is necessary to repair Texas roads, it can also cause a lot of trouble. You may deal with uneven roads, crews too close to the roadway, bright lights, and other road defects that may cause an accident. Construction vehicles driven by negligent workers can cause major accidents at road construction sites, or other drivers may not follow special speed limits.
You need to know what to do when you are involved in a road construction accident. These collisions are different than typical car accidents. There are specific steps you should take to protect your rights.
The Leading Causes of Most Road Construction Accidents
Many things may lead to a road construction accident. A collision in a road construction area can cause harm to both workers and drivers. Common causes of road construction accidents include:
- Heavy traffic
- Intoxicated drivers
- Distracted driving in the construction zone
- Improper lane changes
- Negligent motorists
- Drivers who ignore speed limits in the construction zone
- Improper road construction signs or drivers who ignore these warning signs
- Defective maintenance of construction machinery or construction vehicles
- Negligent construction company employees
- Lack of "road construction ahead" signs to warn drivers
These and many other causes could be why you were hurt in a road construction wreck. Whether you are a worker or a driver passing through the area, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries in a construction litigation case.
Important Actions To Take When in a Road Construction Zone Accident
After a road construction accident, you should take several steps to protect your health and safety, finances, and legal rights. By following these steps, you can improve your long-term situation and prepare for a potential personal injury claim:
Seek Immediate Medical Care, if Necessary
You should immediately seek medical care if you are hurt in a road construction zone accident. Your health is the most important thing. Not only does this protect your life and future, but it also documents the extent of your injuries for use in a later personal injury claim. This documentation may important to establishing the cost of your injuries and the pain you endured as a result.
Medical care you may need could include:
- A trip to the emergency room or urgent care
- Surgeries or other medical procedures
- Follow-up care with a family physician
- Long-term rehabilitation
Whatever medical care you need, make sure you get it. And records from this care could prove vital to a successful construction zone accident case.
Collect Evidence and Accident Reports
After an accident, your health is more important than anything. Get medical attention immediately, but if possible, stay in the area and begin to collect evidence. If you cannot stay, ask someone else to gather evidence at the scene. You or a helper should collect evidence like:
- Photographs and videos of the scene
- Photographs of personal property damage
- Photographs of your injuries
- Medical records, bills, and other treatment documentation
- Contact and insurance information for the party who caused the accident
- Contact information from witnesses who saw the road construction accident
Most law enforcement agencies create accident reports. This report may help determine who is liable for your injuries. Your insurance company may also create an accident report you can request. This information can help you pursue compensation in your road construction accident lawsuit.
Get the Help of a Construction Accident Attorney Before Moving Forward
You should speak to a construction accident attorney as soon as you can. These cases are complex and should be handled by experienced legal counsel.
Similarly, if you are an injured construction worker, you need help standing up to the driver's insurance company that wants to deny you compensation.
A road construction lawyer can investigate your case and pursue the compensation you deserve. Compensation may include medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.
Determining the Negligent Party
To win compensation in your case, you must prove who is liable in a road construction accident. Negligence occurs when a party breaches their duty of care towards you, and that breach caused your damages. For example, negligent drivers commonly violate construction zone speed limits and cause accidents. They may be liable for the injuries you suffered as a result.
Many parties may be liable for your road construction accident claim damages. These include, but are not limited to:
- Construction companies: Construction companies should maintain safe work zones for both employees and drivers who pass through them. Negligent security measures, road signs, and much more may make them liable for your damages. Construction workers may also be negligent and lead to an accident.
- Individual drivers: Individual drivers and their insurance companies may be financially responsible for their negligent conduct.
- Government entities: A Texas city, county, or the state itself may be responsible for your injuries. This could occur if the accident was caused by a negligently designed roadway, uncured road defects, and several other causes.
- Product manufacturers: If your road construction accident was caused by a defective product, the manufacturer or designer might be liable. This often occurs with motor vehicle part defects or problems with heavy machinery used in road construction sites.
- Third parties: A third party may be responsible for the accident, such as a subcontractor on a work site. This may also occur if an employee, such as a truck driver, caused an accident while on the job. The trucking company may be responsible for its employee's actions.
Road Construction Accident Victims May Be Entitled to Compensation
Road construction accident victims may be entitled to significant compensation following a road construction accident. You can fight for the compensation you deserve with the help of a qualified road construction accident attorney.
At Dunn Sheehan, our personal injury lawyers know what it takes to fight big insurance companies, construction companies, and much more to secure you the compensation you are owed.
Contact us today for a consultation on your road accident case. We are here to help you in any way we can.