Construction zones, also known as designated work zones on highways, create many road risks. These zones exist so that roads and the relevant infrastructure can be repaired and maintained. Unfortunately, many car accidents occur in these zones when precautions are not taken.
A car accident lawyer can help you if you have suffered a crash in a construction zone. The first thing to consider after a construction zone crash is determining liability. To better understand this, it is important to first look at the common causes of such accidents.
Common Causes of Construction Zone Accidents
Crashes in work zones are commonly caused by these factors:
Speeding – When a driver fails to sufficiently slow down given the work area ahead, it can lead to an accident. This is a legal offense under California Statutes Section 22350, which prohibits drivers from traveling at an unsafe speed through a work zone.
Careless Driving – If you are texting or taking a phone call, for example, while driving through a work zone, you may collide with another person or object.
Poorly Trained Crew – Construction workers who are not trained may not take due precautions during work, leading to road accidents.
Equipment and Debris – Some construction zone accidents occur because the work crew leaves debris or heavy equipment sitting on the road. The drivers fail to slow down in time for this unforeseen risk, resulting in an accident.
Lack of Warning Signs – Warning signs are the most important tool to warn drivers of work-related hazards ahead. When these signs are not posted or posted with poor visibility, this can create risks for drivers. Drivers must also follow speed limit changes in work zones under California Statutes Section 22362.
Parties Liable for Construction Zone Crashes
The following parties can often be held liable for a construction zone accident:
The Driver – Driver negligence is one of the main factors involved in construction zone crashes.
The Construction Company – You can sue the construction company if, for example, it hired a poorly trained crew that failed to take proper precautions and caused the crash.
The Construction Crew – Sometimes, the responsibility for the negligence that caused the crash lies directly with the construction crew on the site of the work zone. But typically the company that hired them is liable, if the individuals were working at the time of the incident.
California follows the pure comparative negligence rule for personal injury cases. This means that more than one party may be held liable for the crash.
Learn How a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer Helps
If you have been involved in a construction zone accident in California, we want to help you. Our lawyers may be able to partner with you to seek full and fair compensation from another at-fault driver or the construction crew and company.
Get in touch today through our contact form or at 619-550-1313 to discuss your case with our lawyers.
