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334-333-3333You never expect it, but suddenly, you’re surrounded by cones, flashing lights, and the aftermath of a crash in the middle of a construction zone. Sirens are in the distance. Traffic is piling up. And you’re not sure what to do next.
Being in a car accident is overwhelming, but when it happens in a highway construction zone, the confusion and risk can quickly escalate. These areas can be deadly. According to the National Safety Council, 568 people were killed in construction zone crashes in 2023, and an additional 330 were killed in crashes in other types of work zones.
Construction zones are full of hazards: uneven pavement, heavy equipment, sudden lane shifts, and unclear signage. Add fast-moving traffic and stressed drivers, and you have a recipe for serious accidents.
If you were injured in a construction zone crash, here’s what you need to know and do to protect yourself and your legal rights.
Construction zones can be chaotic, and your steps immediately after a crash can make a difference in your safety, claim, and ability to recover compensation.
How to protect yourself and your case:
If your car is drivable, move it to a secure location, preferably outside traffic flow and away from active construction equipment. Stay alert for machinery, loose gravel, and construction workers.
Tell the dispatcher you’re in a construction zone and describe your location. Emergency responders may need special instructions to navigate road closures, cones, or barriers.
Take as many photos as possible, including:
These details can make or break your case. Many construction zone accident claims hinge on whether proper safety measures were in place.
If workers saw what happened, their statements could be critical. Get their names, contact information, and details from other drivers or bystanders.
Were there warning signs about lane shifts or speed reductions? Were flaggers present? Were any traffic control devices malfunctioning or missing? These factors help establish whether the construction zone was managed correctly.
Even if you feel okay, see a doctor immediately. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, or internal bleeding often don’t show symptoms right away. Also, start a daily journal to track symptoms, doctor visits, missed work, and how the injury affects your life. This documentation can be powerful evidence later.
Once you’ve taken care of your immediate safety and documentation, it’s time to consider accountability, because construction zone crashes are rarely simple.
Crashes in highway work zones are more than “driver vs. driver.” They often involve:
The construction company may be liable if it failed to follow federal or state work zone safety guidelines, like posting signs or safely guiding traffic. Poor planning, lack of lighting, or improperly placed equipment can all lead to serious accidents.
If a public agency designed or maintained the construction zone poorly, it might also be accountable. Claims against government entities can involve shorter deadlines and stricter filing rules, which is why working with a construction zone accident attorney is important.
Some projects involve third-party companies that manage traffic flow with signs, signals, and barriers. They could share in the blame if they mismanaged traffic or failed to warn drivers.
The chaotic nature of highway construction zones creates real danger, not just inconvenience. In 2023 alone, 40,170 people were injured in U.S. work zone crashes. And work zone fatalities increased by 50% between 2013 and 2023.
Poor planning, high speeds, and unclear signals can turn a routine drive into a serious, multi-vehicle crash in seconds.
Common crash contributors include:
Even careful drivers can get caught off guard. These accidents can lead to multi-vehicle pileups, rear-end collisions, or sideswipes, especially in areas with high-speed traffic.
Unlike standard car accidents, you may be dealing with a government entity, a general contractor, and a subcontracted traffic control company, all of whom may try to deny responsibility.
The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers work quickly to preserve evidence, bring in traffic and engineering experts when needed, and build a strong case that puts your recovery first.
Between the medical bills, lost wages, and legal obstacles, you need someone in your corner who knows how to hold the right parties accountable.
Call our law firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our construction zone accident attorneys are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
The road to recovery starts with one call. Let’s take the next step together.
