Who Could Be Held Liable For a Construction Zone Car Crash in Lafayette?

Road construction zones can be dangerous, especially when drivers are careless and fail to adapt to the situation.

While driver carelessness is often to blame for crashes in work zones, sometimes multiple other parties may be liable. This is one reason why construction zone car crash cases can be complicated.

Galloway Jefcoat’s Lafayette-based car crash lawyers have the experience and record of success you need after getting injured in a car accident in a construction zone. If you have questions after this type of collision, call our firm to schedule your free legal consultation. We help crash victims pursue maximum compensation at no upfront cost.

Injured in a Lafayette auto accident? Contact Galloway Jefcoat: 337-984-8020

What Is a Construction Zone Car Accident?

Crashes that occur in an area marked as a construction zone often include multiple signs and cones to alert and direct drivers. For example, there may be signs instructing drivers how to safely proceed through the area, or simply alerting them to road work or construction that is happening ahead.

Workers may be in the process of building out the road, performing maintenance on an existing route or working on utilities that are near or below the road. You will often see construction equipment or vehicles in the area. Sometimes workers are present when the crash happens and other times they are not.

What Causes These Crashes?

Construction zone car accidents happen for several reasons, including:

Speeding

Most car crashes are caused by driver negligence. Speeding is a common form of negligence that greatly increases the risk of a crash, particularly in a construction zone. Speeding gives drivers less time to react in any situation. However, when lanes are blocked off and vehicles are being detoured because of road construction, it is especially dangerous.

Negligence When Merging

Traffic lanes blocked off to allow for construction means there are cars that need to merge. Unfortunately, some drivers may not check their blind spots before merging or they might try to merge when they do not have the space to do so.

Debris

Dirt and debris can get kicked up by construction equipment, which can limit visibility. There may also be large pieces of debris in the area that can damage vehicles as they drive through. If a larger piece of debris is left jutting out into the road, vehicles going through may take evasive actions, which could lead to a collision.

Potholes

Potholes can knock your wheels out of alignment and do significant damage to your suspension. Sometimes this could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and crash into something on the construction site or into another vehicle.

Construction Equipment/Vehicles

Equipment and vehicles make the road more congested, which means drivers get less space to pass through. Drivers in this situation need to take extra precautions to avoid a crash.

Sometimes workers fail to remove construction materials or pieces of machinery from the road. Drivers could hit these things, which could then cause a chain reaction crash.

Lack of Signage

Sometimes crashes happen because there was no signage alerting traffic about an upcoming work zone. In other situations, there may have been signage that was confusing and/or poorly placed.

When Could a Construction Company Be at Fault For a Crash?

Drivers are often the ones at fault for construction zone car crashes. However, sometimes construction companies are at fault.

For instance, if a construction zone is poorly designed and requires drivers to make sudden movements, it creates an unreasonable risk of a crash. This could be because road cones or barricades were not properly placed.

Construction companies could also be vicariously liable for the actions of their workers. Maybe they left equipment out in the road or failed to place a sign instructing drivers on what to do. Construction companies might be liable if workers placed signs too close to where drivers needed to change lanes.

While it may be possible to hold a construction company liable, this is something that should be discussed with an experienced attorney.

Can the Government Bear Fault for a Construction Zone Collision?

Sometimes government entities that employed construction companies may be liable for damages from a construction zone crash. However, claims against the government are more complex than claims against insurance companies or other private entities. They often have shorter deadlines and different filing requirements.

If you were injured in a construction zone crash in Lafayette, call Galloway Jefcoat as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Evidence can quickly get lost or damaged if you do not act quickly.

Tips on Avoiding a Construction Zone Crash

While no one can prevent all car crashes, there are steps you can take to greatly reduce your risk of a collision in a road construction zone.

• Slow down – Construction zones often have reduced speed limits. Even if they do not, slowing down a little gives you more time to react.
• Watch for narrow lanes and debris or equipment – You may encounter debris or equipment as you pass through a construction zone. Keep an eye out for objects, potholes and other debris to give you more time to safely maneuver around it.
• Use caution when merging – You may need to merge while inside a construction zone. Avoid merging at the last possible moment. Use your turn signal and check your blind spots.

Contact Galloway Jefcoat To Discuss Your Lafayette Car Crash

Unsure about how to seek compensation for your construction zone car crash?

Call Galloway Jefcoat today to find out how our experienced law firm may be able to assist you. We have been representing crash victims in Lafayette and the surrounding areas for decades. We know the challenges crash victims face and we know how to take on insurance companies looking to deny or underpay claims.

Schedule your free legal consultation today. Ph: 337-984-8020.