We all want well-maintained roads, but we dislike the inconvenience of closed lanes when the work is done. Many of us also dislike slowing down in these work zones, which can be a fatal mistake for motorists and construction workers.
How Bad a Problem Is This?
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that 956 people were killed in 874 work zone accidents on the nation’s roadways in 2021. Only four years earlier, the number of fatalities was 809, so that’s an increase of about 20%.
The 2021 deaths include:
- 778 drivers and passengers
- 173 bicyclists and pedestrians (108 of the pedestrians worked at the site)
About a quarter involved rear-end crashes, roughly a third involved commercial vehicles and another third speeding. About 45% of construction workers killed were struck by vehicles.
Thirteen people were killed in Kentucky in 2021 in 11 work zone accidents, reports the National Workzone Safety Information Clearinghouse.
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What Causes Work Zone Accidents?
What drivers do, or fail to do, cause most of these accidents:
- Speeding: Breaking the posted speed limit is a significant factor in work zone crashes. Many drivers ignore reduced speed limits in these areas and travel through them at high speeds. Going slower allows drivers more reaction time for unexpected changes in traffic flow, lane configurations, or equipment in the roadway
- Distracted driving: Using smartphones, adjusting the radio or eating can divert attention from the road and increase the risk of accidents, especially in unpredictable work zones
- Following too closely: Keeping a safe distance is crucial, especially in work zones where traffic patterns change abruptly. Tailgating leaves little room for maneuver if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows down
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals: Work zones have temporary signs, lane markings, and flaggers directing traffic. Disobeying these instructions can lead to confusion and collisions
- Work zone encroachments: Drivers who stray into work areas or come too close to workers and equipment put themselves and others at risk.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Impaired driving significantly reduces reaction time and judgment, increasing the risk of accidents in any situation, including work zones
Other factors involve the work zones:
- Poor design: Inadequate signage, unclear lane markings, or improperly placed barriers can confuse drivers and increase the risk of accidents
- Limited visibility: Dust, fog, or inadequate lighting during nighttime work can reduce visibility and make it harder to see potential hazards
- Sudden lane changes or merging: Work zones often involve lane closures or narrowed lanes, requiring drivers to merge or change lanes frequently. This can lead to conflicts between vehicles and accidents if not done cautiously
If you’re injured in a work zone accident, contact the Fleck Firm as soon as possible. A full investigation is needed to determine what happened, why, and who’s at fault. Responsible parties could include other drivers, the construction company, and the government entity responsible for the road or highway.
Work Zone Fatalities
Those working in roadway and interstate construction sites face high risks of severe and fatal injuries. The person could be struck by traffic moving through the site or heavy equipment in the work area.
Whether your family member worked on the site, was a pedestrian, cyclist, or in a vehicle, if a death is the result of another party’s negligence or wrongful act, compensation may be obtained from them. The plaintiff in this legal action, known as a wrongful death lawsuit, would be the deceased’s estate, which the estate’s personal representative manages.
The personal representative decides whether or not to pursue a case and, if so, how to proceed. This includes determining whether claims should be litigated or settled and for how much. Any recovery would go to the estate. It may be used to pay the deceased’s outstanding debts or taxes, with what remains going to beneficiaries named in a will or the next of kin if there is no will.
Contact Us Today
The Fleck Firm is here to help you, whether you’re injured in a work zone accident, a surviving family member, or a personal representative of an estate. Contact The Fleck Firm today at (270) 446-7000 or fill out our online contact form. Remember, Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one, too.
