It must be clear and obvious that drivers are approaching a work zone. Bright signs with arrows and cones along the road are indicators to slow down and drive with caution.
However, when construction companies or workers fail to provide a safe work site and use adequate signage, they could be liable if you crash.
Why Work Zone Car Accident Liability is Important
Liability is an essential part of any personal injury case. Before you can get any compensation from another party, you must prove liability.
This is challenging in a work zone car accident claim since so many parties could have a hand in your accident. An investigation may find that several parties could be liable, including:
The Employer
The employer is responsible for keeping the construction zone safe to avoid any collisions. This includes ensuring there is adequate signage and that the signage is correct.
Additionally, construction companies must provide clear instructions for detours if needed. If cars are required to pass through the site, there must be a sufficient amount of room in the passing lane for oncoming vehicles.
Construction zones are even harder to navigate at night. Therefore, signs should be well lit, and cones should be visible to avoid accidents. If companies fail to set up proper signage or in any way obstruct oncoming traffic, they could be liable for your damages.
Negligent Workers
Workers also have a duty of care to uphold for drivers on the road. They must maintain a clean job site clear of any debris that could get in a car’s way. Additionally, they must ensure their vehicles are not blocking roadways so that drivers can safely pass.
In some cases, workers could make mistakes during construction that could cause potential road hazards as well. A careful investigation of the evidence could identify whether an employer or employee is responsible.
Other Drivers
Sometimes, another driver on the road could cause you to crash into a work zone. When you approach a job site, you’ll more than likely merge across lanes to pass through. When cars are not paying attention to the road, they may wait until the last minute to merge and crash into you.
In other cases, the car behind you might not see the sudden stop in traffic as you approach a work zone and rear-end you.
Working with an Attorney After a Work Zone Car Accident
A Montgomery personal injury lawyer can handle every part of your personal injury claim after a work zone car accident. Our team can investigate the accident and look at each piece of evidence to discover who is liable.
The earlier you contact the team at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., the sooner we can start building your personal injury case. Call 205-933-1500 for your free, no-risk consultation today. Or, use our contact form to start on your case as soon as possible.
