Construction Zone Accidents

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that there are currently more than 3,400 active road construction sites in the state. TxDOT also reports that in 2020, there were more than 22,000 vehicle crashes in these work zones, resulting in 186 deaths with 680 people seriously injured. At Springer & Lyle, we are committed to helping those injured in Texas construction zone accidents collect the damages to which they are legally entitled.

Who is at Fault for a Construction Zone Accident?

Driving through a construction zone is challenging. According to TxDOT, drivers may encounter:

• Uneven pavement.
• Narrow lanes.
• Concrete barriers.
• Slow-moving heavy equipment.
• Construction and other vehicles making sudden stops.

It is important for drivers to remember that a construction zone remains a construction zone even when no workers are present. When workers are present and there are traffic violations, the traffic fines are doubled and can be as high as $2,000.

There is no easy answer to the question about who is liable for the construction zone accident. It may be the driver, a driver in another vehicle, a construction company, a sign company, a street striping company, the state government, or all of them combined.

When the construction company may be at fault. Some examples of when the construction company may be at fault include:

• Warning signs were not properly placed.
• Warning signs were not well lit.
• Directions for detours were not clear.
• A worker negligently drove equipment in the way of oncoming traffic.
• A driver crashed into equipment that was hidden or suddenly moved by a driver who failed to look for traffic.

When drivers may be at fault. Sometimes, construction workers do everything right, but drivers cause a crash. Some examples include:

• A driver hits a sign or equipment, causing the sudden stop to create a chain reaction with many cars crashing behind it.
• A driver is speeding through the construction zone and causes an accident by running into another car and pushing it into a construction zone. 

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for Assistance

If you were injured in an accident in a construction zone, or someone you love was killed, you need the assistance of a skilled personal injury attorney to help you pursue your claim for damages. In Texas, you must file your claim for damages within a certain time after the incident. If a state agency, city, or county is a potential defendant, these notice periods can be just a few months. There is no grace period. If you let the deadline expire, you lose forever your right to damages even if you were permanently disabled. Do not wait.

The personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you obtain the reasonable compensation you are entitled for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Contact us at 940.387.0404 to schedule a free consultation.