It is common to encounter road construction along Interstate 270, especially given the ongoing massive project to rebuild and modernize I-270 North from Lindbergh to Route 367 in St. Louis County.
Highway construction zones are dangerous stretches of I-270 for motorists to navigate because of the narrowed lanes, concrete barriers, sudden lane mergers, traffic stoppages, and heavy equipment working nearby. When motorists disregard construction zone signs directing them to reduce their speed and instead drive too fast for the road conditions, they may cause a serious construction zone accident. A large truck that is barreling through a construction zone at highways speeds may be unable to stop if traffic ahead slows unexpectedly and may cause a multi-vehicle accident.
Have you been injured in a crash in an I-270 construction zone in St. Louis? If another driver or a highway construction company caused an accident in a road work zone, you may have a right to seek significant compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and related expenses. If another driver failed to act responsibly and injured you, contact an experienced St. Louis construction zone accident attorney at Craig, Kelley & Faultless today. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling the complexities of construction zone crashes. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact us online or call (314) 367-2661 today.
How Do Highway Construction Accidents Occur?
Some of the most common causes of highway construction accidents caused by motorists and truck drivers include:
- Speeding – Speeding frequently contributes to accidents in highway work zones. Drivers traveling at higher speeds need more time and space to slow down or stop. They may not be able to brake in time if a construction vehicle crosses into a lane of traffic, a flagger halts traffic or they encounter another hazard.
- Distracted driving – A construction zone requires a driver’s full attention. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of road construction zone accidents. Distracted driving includes any activity that causes a driver to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, personal grooming, or adjusting the radio. Drivers who fail to heed warning signs and remain vigilant can easily cause devastating accidents.
- Reckless driving – Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and merging too late can also cause construction zone collisions as well.
While negligent motorists and truck drivers are responsible for some work zone-related car accidents, construction companies and contractors can cause collisions through failure to design a work zone properly or to provide proper warning signs.
Common examples of a construction company or contractor negligence include:
- Inconsistent or incorrect speed limit signs
- Debris from the construction site in the road
- Construction vehicles veering into traffic lanes
- Oil spills in traffic lanes
- Construction equipment issues
- Badly marked temporary lanes
- Lack of sufficient warning signage before the work zone and within the work zone
If you were injured in a construction zone accident in St. Louis caused by someone else’s negligence, then you may be entitled to bring a claim against the at-fault party. That may be another motorist, a truck driver, a construction company, or even a local government agency responsible for maintaining the road.
Motor Vehicle Accidents as a Result of Ongoing Construction as Part Of I-270 Expansion
As construction work continues on the expansion of I-270, crashes have been occurring with alarming frequency. From the start of 2021 to July 20 of last year, 102 crashes occurred in a specific construction zone that runs through North County. Due to the high number of crashes, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Hazelwood Police Department enacted new safety protocols and lower speed limits to try to reduce the number of accidents in the area.
The stretch of I-270 that runs from Lindbergh, MO to I-170 is the primary region of concern for the government. Motorists and motorcyclists traveling through this area cite issues such as debris from construction work and insufficiently-sized lanes as reasons why traveling through this area is so dangerous.
As a result of the high number of accidents along this section of I-270, local authorities reduced the speed limit in the construction zone from 60 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour. Law enforcement was also offered funding to station officers along the route, with the goal of enforcing Hazardous Moving Violations.
Establishing construction zones is necessary for highway maintenance and projects such as the I-270 expansion. Even well-planned work zones present many hazards and challenging driving conditions. Narrowed lanes, uneven pavement, large construction vehicles, loose, and missing signage can contribute to accidents. Many drivers fail to take adequate precautions when they are passing through construction zones. The consequence can be a traffic accident.
How Truck Accidents Can Occur During Road Constructions
Like all motorists, commercial truck drivers have a responsibility to take extra care when passing through a roadwork area. Crashes involving tractor-trailers are among the most devastating traffic accidents. Large, commercial tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo. Most passenger vehicles weigh less than 4,000 pounds.
Because truck accidents tend to cause the most severe injuries and property damage, it is imperative for semi-truck drivers to expect the unexpected and pay full attention when driving through a work zone.
Some common causes of construction zone truck accidents include:
- Neglecting to reduce speed when entering a work zone
- Disregarding warning signs and signals
- Failing to merge until the last minute
- Neglecting to watch out for construction workers working near active traffic lanes
- Following cars too closely
- Driving while distracted by talking on the phone, eating and drinking, or other activities
- Driving while fatigued, can cause impaired judgment
- Intoxicated driving, can result in impaired judgment, slowed reflexes, and an inability to concentrate on the task of driving
If a truck driver’s negligence results in a construction zone crash, then the victims of the crash may be entitled to file an injury claim against the truck driver or the trucking company that employs the driver.
About the I-270 Construction Project in Missouri
The I-270 construction project, formally known as the I-270 North Design-Build Project, aims to implement safety and dependability improvements along I-270, with the goal of reducing traffic collisions and congestion in the area.
I-270 is one of the busiest interstates in the state of Missouri. Approximately 140,000 vehicles pass along this stretch of road each day, with 18% of those vehicles being large trucks. Because the highway was originally constructed back in the 1960s, the road is aging, and many areas require revitalization for safety reasons.
Among the project’s benefits include reconstructing busy interchanges, adding a lane in each direction from North Lindbergh to Lewis and Clark, adding a multi-use path for cyclists along specific portions of the interstate, replacing old signals, and replacing 12 aging bridges, many of which were constructed decades ago when fewer cars were on the road.
You can learn more about the expansion project and its goals here.
Interstate 270 Truck Accidents Precedents
I-270 is one of the most dangerous roadways in the state of Missouri. Some of the crashes that have occurred on this highway recently include:
- An overturned 18-wheeler forced the closure of the I-64 ramp for hours. This crash occurred on December 31, 2021, in west St. Louis County.
- A deadly truck accident occurred on I-270 in St. Louis County in September 2021. Several lanes of the interstate had to be closed for hours. The truck driver was killed in the accident.
- Another deadly crash between a moving truck and a semi also occurred in September 2021. The interstate had to be closed for three hours. The moving truck driver was killed in the accident.
Due to the high volume of car and truck accidents that have occurred on this stretch of I-270, which remains under construction, it is critical for all motorists to be especially careful when driving on this interstate.
Call a Highway Trucking Accident Lawyer
Have you been injured in a car or truck accident in an I-270 construction zone? If so, you may be entitled to claim compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other losses you suffered. The St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, know how dangerous construction zones are. Our accident attorneys are ready to stand up for you if someone else’s negligence caused your crash. We offer a no-cost consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Don’t wait until it is too late to get the justice you deserve. Contact us online or call (314) 367-2661 now.
