Injured while in Road Construction Zone
A car accident can be a life-changing experience. Those that occur in road construction zones have added elements of danger. Knowing how to navigate through worksites to prevent crashes is a priority. If you do suffer an injury, it is key to know how to handle the situation immediately after it occurs.
According to The Federal Highway Administration, there were approximately 27,000 people who died in construction zone car accidents. That’s about 773 people per year. The number decreased to 591 from 2008 to 2014 and increased again to 772 from 2015 to 2017.
Howard Lewis & Petersen are provo personal injury attorneys who have experience with elaborate federal and state regulations specific to injuries that happen in construction zones. After seeking medical attention, call a lawyer who can take over your case right away. To be compensated fairly, it is important you don’t negotiate directly with insurance companies.
The best practice is to drive safely through construction sites to prevent injuries. In the next section, you will find more on this topic.
Six Tips for Safe Driving in Construction Zones
The best advice for anyone driving, but especially through road construction zones, is to prevent accidents at all costs. These are tips we can keep in mind to avoid car accident injuries in a construction zone, let’s review them below:
1. Slow down and remain alert. You’ll likely see bright orange signs that warn you about the upcoming construction zone. Slowing down and paying extra attention is key in being able to follow directions well. Being distracted is one of the major causes of accidents. It’s good practice to practice good habits when it comes to cell phones and other distractions.
2. Obey the flagger that is signaling. Most construction zones when actively working have workers to guide traffic. Stay alert and pay attention to those who are flagging you through. Don’t assume anything, follow directions closely from the beginning to the end of the work zone.
3. Beware of Unexpected Signals. Expect anything as you pass a construction zone. The speed limit might change, lanes might be reduced, workers might be close to the road, and other unexpected scenarios.
4. Allow extra time for your usual route. A construction project can last several weeks or months. Be sure to anticipate delays and give yourself extra travel time so you’re not in a rush.
5. Drive Defensively. Of course, being delayed because of a construction zone can be frustrating. The most common types of crashes in a work zone are rear-ending collisions. Give yourself enough space from the car in front of you to stop on time. A safe braking distance is seven seconds.
6. When changing lanes use the “Take 10” technique. It is used when the driver needs to merge after seeing flashing signals that indicate “lane closed ahead.” You are to put your turn signal three seconds before you change lanes and use the remaining seven seconds to complete the lane change. Unsafe drivers wait until the last minute and cut into an aggressive merge. You can keep yourself and construction workers safe by consciously practicing this technique.
What to Do If You’ve Suffered an Injury
You need to seek immediate medical attention and try to get a copy of the police report. Construction accident lawsuits are full of complex liability matters. Utah accident lawyers are standing by to assist you during this hardship.
A successful outcome to your case highly depends on working with an experienced legal team that handles third-party injury cases. With over 50 years servicing clients, our provo attorneys know the ins and outs of road construction zone accidents. Whether the injured are drivers or construction workers, our provo attorneys have the resources to help.
