Road construction can be a traffic-causing pain, but it can also be dangerous for motorists and the construction workers. Road construction accidents often result from negligence on the part of the construction company to ensure safe construction zones. If you’ve been injured in a road construction accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses from the construction company.
Mistakes that Cause Road Construction Accidents
There are a variety of scenarios that can lead to road construction accidents, but here are a few of the more common mistakes that construction companies make that cause accidents.
- Poor road conditions during and after the construction make negotiating the road hazardous for drivers and motorcyclists. Road construction can involve areas of uneven pavement, and these areas should be well marked for oncoming motorists. Poor road conditions that remain even after construction has been completed can still cause accidents. The owner of the road is generally held liable for those incidents, rather than the construction company, since it’s their duty to maintain safe road conditions.
- Inadequate signs and warnings directing traffic and notifying motorists of upcoming construction also lead to accidents, often involving both the motorist and the construction workers. Drivers need sufficient warning that they are approaching a potentially hazardous construction area.
- Road construction sometimes requires motorists to make turns that are too sharp for the normal speed limit. Construction companies must follow regulations that provide ample warning that motorists need to slow down before they approach such a turn.
Making Your Personal Injury Case
Making a personal injury case against a construction company is a pretty standard procedure, whether your case involves road construction or building construction. You must prove that the construction company was somehow negligent and that this negligence directly caused your injuries. In order to prove this, you must demonstrate the following three elements:
- The defendant has a duty to maintain the safety of the construction area.
There may be discrepancy in court over what a safe construction zone actually involves. To address this, the construction company must abide by state and federal safety regulations as well as take any additional reasonable measures to ensure the safety of the area. Expert witnesses can testify as to what the construction company could have done differently to promote a safer construction area.
- The defendant failed to maintain their duty to keep the site safe.
After you establish that the defendant was responsible for the safety of the site, you must also demonstrate that they failed to uphold this responsibility.
- The defendant’s failure to uphold their duty of safety caused your injuries.
Even if you can prove that the defendant was negligent, this is not enough to make your case. You must prove that your injuries are a direct result of their negligence.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Whenever you are injured and need to file a personal injury lawsuit, seek the legal expertise of a personal injury attorney. Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers has offices across the country from Tampa, FL to Beverly Hills, CA. Contact us today if you need legal representation, and let us help you win appropriate compensation for your losses.
