Collisions And Injuries In Florida Construction Zones
Areas of roads and highways where construction is taking place have specific accident dangers. After all, there are individuals outside of vehicles, detours, unexpected lane shifts, and heavy equipment. These dangers can prompt collisions and injuries.
After a motor vehicle accident in a Clearwater, Hudson, or Tampa construction zone, discuss damage recovery with an experienced vehicular accident attorney. Construction claims often have unique considerations as local government and construction companies could be involved in claim negotiations.
Accident Risks and Assessing Fault
Because roads need to be repaired and improved over time, road construction zones are common in Florida. Also, because of new buildings and development projects, there are frequently construction workers working on projects that may not be on the road itself but equipment and lane blockages can spill into the flow of traffic.
Crashes are possible when conditions change, and this is a reality in construction zones. Merging may be required to avoid construction equipment or an area where workers are doing their jobs. There can also be speed limit changes and unexpected hazards that require an immediate response from drivers. For example, in an effort to avoid construction debris one car may swerve and then collide with another vehicle, perhaps a vehicle that should have slowed down in response to a lowered speed limit.
If a construction zone accident does occur determining who is the at-fault party can be complicated. A driver could have been reckless or responsibly could fall to the company in charge of the project if equipment was used improperly or there was road debris.
For instance, in work zone collisions, any of the following could result in determining a party was negligent:
- The work area did not have the correct signage installed.
- Passenger car driver was distracted or speeding.
- Construction equipment was positioned inappropriately or not secured properly.
Any time a driver is driving too fast for conditions or is distracted, manually or cognitively, the possibility of a traffic accident increases. This is one of the reasons why reduced speed limits are in place in construction zones. When operating a car at a lower speed, a driver can carefully assess their environment and notice a need for adjustment, such as changing lanes safely to steer clear of workers and their equipment.
Meet with a Florida Construction Work Area Attorney
To get a full understanding of the worth of your claim and who can be held accountable, share the details for your situation with a Florida personal injury lawyer. Because multiple parties could be at fault, it is helpful to retain an attorney. Their skills, background, and expertise can be beneficial in strengthening a claim in order to access the funds required to settle accident expenses.
Were you injured in an accident that occurred in a construction area? These claims can have additional details to attend to, and the skilled attorneys at Roman & Roman know how to secure the compensation you need and deserve. Our personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience. Schedule your no-obligation, free consultation today.