Tennessee drivers often have to navigate their way through construction zones on their daily commute; however, these work areas can be very dangerous for drivers and construction workers alike. Oftentimes, auto accidents in construction zones will result in serious injuries and extensive property damage.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from a construction zone accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. Contact an experienced Knoxville car accident lawyer today.
To find out if youre eligible to file an auto accident lawsuit, complete the Free Case Review form on this page.
Causes of Construction Zone Collisions
The injuries and fatalities associated with construction zone accidents could be reduced if more motorists were aware about the dangers of these crashes. There are a number of factors that have been tied to construction zone accidents such as speeding, disobeying construction signs and signals, distracted drivers and merging issues.
Exceeding the Speed Limit
One of the leading causes of auto accidents in construction zones is speeding. Most of the time traffic is stop-and-go in a construction zone and this traffic pattern leaves workers vulnerable to passing cars. The speed limits in construction zones are meant to protect both the workers and drivers.
Drivers that are caught speeding in a construction zones can be fined double the amount of a normal speeding ticket.
Disregarding Construction Signs, Traffic Directions or Caution Signals
A distracted driver or a hurried motorist that disregards posted signs, traffic directors or caution signals puts themselves and the construction workers in harms way. The signs are meant to alert drivers about the approaching road conditions or detours.
Inattentive Drivers
Drivers that are inattentive pose a risk to construction workers. It is common for construction zones to have slow-moving vehicles working on the side of the road. Occasionally, the construction machinery will temporarily obstruct a drivers path, so it is essential that drivers remain alert at all times. Also, construction vehicles tend to have blind spots that affect the drivers visibility of the road. These vehicles are difficult to handle and cannot stop quickly if a dangerous situation arises.
Merging Issues
When a motorist merges into a lane at high speeds or merges late, this can result in a construction zone accident. Usually, the lane widths and the number of lanes available are decreased in a construction zone. Drivers that are operate their cars carelessly while merging into traffic are at risk of a side impact collision.
Statistics on Construction Zone Accidents
- Approximately four-fifths of construction zone fatalities are drivers, not workers.
- Construction zone crashes have killed 4,700 people and injured another 200,000 in the last five years.
- In 2009, 162 commercial vehicles and bus were involved in construction zone collisions.
Filing a Construction Zone Accident Lawsuit
If you or a loved one was involved in construction zone accident at no-fault if your own, you may have financial and legal recourse. At Greg Coleman Law, we urge all individuals that were injured in auto accidents in construction zones to seek legal counsel. A knowledgeable attorney can thoroughly explain your legal rights and options.
Our legal team offers free legal consultations to all Tennessee accident victims. During your consultation, an attorney will assess your accident and advise you on the best course of action to pursue.
To have your case reviewed by a Knoxville injury lawyer from Greg Coleman Law, complete the contact form on the right-hand side of the page.
