Construction zones are a fact of daily life. Regardless of the season, there will always be construction somewhere on the roads. But driving through work zones comes with increased risks for collisions, especially with semi tractor-trailers and other commercial motor vehicles like flatbed trucks and dump trucks.
Most collisions in work zones are a result of failing to slow down to the posted speed limit, following too closely, unpredictable lane movement, distracted driving, fatigued driving, not yielding the right-of-way, driving over objects on the roadway, poorly designed work zones, and more. Rear-end collisions are the most likely type of accident in work zones, which can often be fatal due to drivers speeding through the ever-changing conditions of these areas.
The nature of work zones complicates a personal injury case. After experiencing a wreck, it is important to seek out an attorney with experience handling construction zone crashes.
What Makes Construction Zone Cases Complex?
Work zones are full of road changes that can make driving through them more difficult. Speeds are reduced, lanes are closed and force drivers to merge quickly and carefully, and traffic patterns shift unexpectedly, all of which require drivers to pay closer attention to their surroundings to avoid accidents.
Some of the biggest problems with these roadways involve changing speeds. Vehicles that are traveling at 65 to 70 mph are forced to slow down to speeds as low as 15 to 20 mph in a short period when entering a construction zone. Additionally, lack of rumble strips and proper signage warning of slower speeds can also make it difficult to adjust driving speed in time. Semi-truck drivers may find it even harder to adjust to these conditions due to the large size of their vehicles.
Furthermore, what makes construction zones so unpredictable is that they may look completely different every time you drive through them. This can also create more onerous circumstances to deal with when filing a personal injury case after experiencing a work zone wreck.
Changes are made to construction zones every day, within hours or overnight. These alterations can result in lost evidence following an accident. Construction companies will often run through sites and take videos, but that footage can be lost or taped over. The road conditions that were present at the time of your accident may look completely different within days. If there are no photos or videos documenting the road conditions that may have contributed to the accident, it can be harder to prove the cause of a wreck. Additionally, construction workers and/or police are tasked with cleaning up work and accident sites to ensure flow of traffic. Maintaining the evidence from an accident may not be their top priority. As a result, evidence must be collected and preserved quicker than in other cases.
Additionally, there are many different people involved with the daily running of construction zones. Contractors, subcontractors, states, counties, and many other departments are involved. Depending on the circumstances of a wreck, those involved with the maintenance of a work zone could also be liable for certain aspects of the wreck, such as improper signage and debris in the roadway.
Each of these factors lend to the importance of getting into contact with an attorney that has experience with construction zones right away. The aftermath of an accident can be difficult, but delays in contacting an attorney to protect you or a loved one’s rights could cause future harm.
Why Do I Need an Attorney with Construction Zone Wreck Experience?
Not every vehicle wreck is the same, and each of the previously listed components of work zone accidents adds to the complexity of a case. An attorney that has never handled an accident that occurred in a construction zone may not be aware of all the pieces at play, which can risk the outcome of your case. If the construction zone accident involved a semi-truck or other heavy truck, victims will need an attorney that also has experience or board-certification in truck accident law.
When you contact an attorney after an accident, you need someone that will get to work right away. Our firm, Craig, Kelley & Faultless, uses a rapid response team that is made up of investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics that are sent to the scene of a wreck to collect evidence immediately after the firm is hired.
This team will gather evidence such as pictures of the accident, video footage of the collision from nearby security or traffic cameras, and witness statements. If a more thorough investigation is required, a reconstructionist can create a data-based reconstruction of the wreck using a variety of tools to provide information that may not be included in testimonial accounts. While a police report will help your case, their priority is to reopen the roadways and evidence can be missed because of that. A rapid response team can collect the information that police may not have.
If your construction zone accident involved a semi-truck or other commercial motor vehicle, it is important to also hire a lawyer that is board-certified in truck accident law. A board-certified attorney has the knowledge, expertise, and the success rate necessary to deal with any truck drivers, truck companies, brokers, and more that may be liable for an accident. Wrecks involving semi-trucks can be devastating, and a lawyer with truck accident experience can also connect you with any medical resources you may need.
An attorney that understands the complexity of construction zone accidents will work with urgency and accuracy immediately after they are hired. They will know how vital rapid collection of evidence is, how to proceed with determining who all is liable for the wreck, and connect you with other resources to help you through any injuries or grief following a crash. But most importantly, they will have the tools needed to win your case at their disposal.
“The sooner you can hire somebody, the better the odds are that you’ll preserve the evidence,” Attorney David W. Craig said in his recent video about the need to act quickly after construction zone semi-truck accidents.
Injured in a Construction Zone Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help
Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both David W. Craig, Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team—including investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics—that is sent to the scene of a wreck to collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.
Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.
Reach out for a free case consultation today at (800) 746-0226 or online.
David W. Craig is board-certified in truck accident law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.
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