Orange cones aligned in a particular order, several warning signs spread across the area, and workers in bright vests is the typical scene of a construction zone. All these precautionary measures are for alerting the incoming traffic about the construction work taking place up ahead in order to reduce confusion and the probability of accidents. However, even with so many preemptive strategies, many car accidents still happen in road construction zones. This may be because of the reduced number of lanes, presence of workers and machinery on the road, changes in speed and traffic flow, and traffic jams, which can create a risky situation for both drivers and workers.
Statistical Data on Construction Zone Accidents
Construction zones create additional road hazards that often lead to a greater frequency of collisions and accidents. Each year, thousands of vehicles accidents and crashes take place due to construction zones. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2013, more than 67,000 crashes occurred in construction zones across the US. It has also been observed that the number of crashes increase when larger zones are under maintenance or being repaired. Moreover, bad weather conditions increase these crash statistics tenfold.
The Causes of Construction Zone Accidents
Whenever a road is in a poor condition, it requires fixing in order to mitigate higher risks of large scale calamities. Regular maintenance and construction work keeps the roads safe for traffic, but over the years, such construction zones have proven to be as dangerous as a bad road. There are several reasons why accidents occur in construction zones, including:
- Debris of the construction materials poses a great threat as they litter the roadway and make road conditions risky for both workers and drivers.
- Sometimes, there is a warning sign or cones missing due to which drivers don’t know how to safely navigate through the construction zone.
- Poor lighting during the nighttime and misplaced barrels can make driving through the worker zone difficult.
- Equipment and machinery are also hazards that can potentially become the cause of accidents.
- During construction, the number of lanes is decreased, which leads to slower traffic. Some drivers fail to notice this and don’t properly adapt to the change, which results in accidents.
- Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failing to observe warning signs are some other reasons for construction zone accidents.
What to do if you were in a Construction Zone Accident?
You may have taken all the necessary precautions to drive through the construction zone safely, and may still have met an accident. So what can you do in such a situation? You may not be completely sure whether it was your or the other driver’s fault, or the accident happened because of the unsafe conditions of the construction zone. In such a case, you should consult an experienced and reliable personal injury attorney, as you may have a case and a chance to get compensated for your pain and suffering.
For evaluating your case and the possibilities for your personal injury claim, contact the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. at (847) 395-2200 or online today to schedule your initial consultation with our firm.
