Construction Zone Accidents
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Construction is a common sight around the Maryland Washington D.C. beltways and other urban areas. When a construction project begins, it transforms a normally safe section of highway with periodic delays into a chronic snarl that fosters dangerous car accidents. Lanes shrink and become crowded. They may even change from day to day, forcing drivers to react suddenly to different conditions. Some drivers respond well. They allow extra time for a trip and are courteous to facilitate traffic flow. Other drivers respond poorly. They are inattentive or distracted and try to hurry through the construction zone. Angry at any delay, they try to force their way into traffic in a dangerous fashion, and may cause accidents.
Unpredictable and Dangerous Construction Zones
When a company gets a contract to perform construction, they are entrusted with the responsibility to properly redirect traffic to minimize disruption, delay, and risk of accidents. New lanes should be designated in a way that is safe and allows adequate room for traffic to merge and pass the construction zone. The company must also warn motorists about potential hazards ahead, ensure that construction vehicles do not make dangerous incursions into traffic, and that vehicles and debris are sufficiently clear of the marked roadway.
If they fail to fulfill their responsibilities, they may be partly responsible for your automobile accident as well as any serious injuries you and your passengers may have sustained.
Motorist Behavior in Construction Zones
Some drivers respond to every situation as if it were a personal inconvenience. They disregard the rights, privileges, and even safety of other drivers as they try to maneuver aggressively through construction zones, putting others at an increased risk of an automobile accident. They may accelerate dangerously, turn suddenly, and fail to yield the right-of-way, unpredictable behaviors that put you and others in danger.
Large Trucks in Construction Zones
Large trucks are even more dangerous in construction zones. A combination of more trucks, less room to maneuver, and unpredictable conditions makes tractor-trailer accidents more likely, and according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) statistics, a quarter of fatal accidents in work zones involve a large truck. This may be the fault of the truck driver, another driver, the construction company, or all of the above, but no matter who is responsible, we can help.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. is recognized as one of the top law firms in Maryland is devoted to protecting the rights of people seriously injured in automobile accidents. If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident in a construction zone or elsewhere, please call or email us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
