4 Things You Didn’t Know About Highway Construction Accidents

Nowadays, road construction and construction projects of some sort are a common sight across the United States. And sadly, sometimes things go wrong. Either bad signage, debris from the construction site, or driver distraction caused by the construction itself, can lead to serious highway construction accidents with possible injuries and fatalities not only for the drivers of the vehicles involved, but for the on-site workers and pedestrians as well. And if, god forbid, you were in such an accident, and you sustained any injuries, you need to become aware of the following information about highway construction accidents.

1. Highway Construction Accidents Statistics

The people at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have recorded a set of highway construction accidents related statistics that show the extent of the problem.

• Close to 20% of the U.S. highway system is under construction during peak season, which includes more than 3000 construction sites
• Travelling through active construction zones are estimated to be around 12 billion miles
• An active construction site can be expected nearly every 100 miles driven on the national highway system
• Every day, on average, 3 people lose their lives in highway construction accidents
• Each year, more than 40,000 people get injured from work zone crashes

The good news about these statistics is that, since 2005, we have seen a 36% decline in road construction accident fatalities.

2. Common Causes of Highway Construction Accidents

All of the road work accidents can be prevented if the necessary preventative measures are taken at the appropriate time. However, there is a good chance that something might be wrong.

Among the common causes of highway construction accidents are:

• Confusing or distracting work zones
• Slippery substances spilled on the road, for example oil
• Inadequate warning about lane changes
• Insufficient or complete lack of highway division, line stripping and edge lines
• Absence of warning signs
• Equipment problems
• Construction debris or fallen objects on the road
• Incorrect speed limit signs

You should understand that if you were involved in a highway construction accident and you are not at fault for it, construction companies, independent contractors and others that failed to provide safety on the road, can be held accountable for the outcomes of the accident.

3. Preventing Highway Construction Accidents

More than 85% of the road work accidents involve motorists. This is why it is extremely important to take extra safety measures, especially if you are a motorcyclist. These include:

• Paying close attention to changes in the road duet to maintenance or improvements
• Driving slowly and carefully
• Increased awareness
• Keeping a safe following distance

4. Dealing with the Aftermaths of Highway Construction Accidents

If you sustained any injuries in a highway construction accident due to hazards in an improperly prepared construction zone, you are entitled to compensation for your losses. In any case, depending on the extent of your injuries, you might be facing serious medical challenges, and you shouldn’t have to handle these on your own. After all, it is not your fault. You can have a legal claim for damages against various parties responsible for the highway construction accident:

• Driver of vehicle
• Construction companies
• Safety inspection companies
• Local government entities

Under the various scenarios possible here, you may be entitled to damages including the cost of medical care, lost income, and other losses sustained as a results of the accident.

We can help in the developing of a strategy that will help you obtain maximum compensation from the parties that are responsible for your injuries. We know how to investigate highway construction accidents properly and we are well aware of relevant state safety laws.