Car accidents that happen in construction zones can be especially devastating due to hazardous materials and equipment, limited room for avoiding collisions, and vulnerable construction workers. To prevent accidents, lower speed limits are strictly enforced in construction zones. However, many drivers ignore this regulation, risking the safety of everyone in the area.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Makes Accidents in Indiana Construction Zones So Common?
- 2 What Are the Most Common Types of Accidents in Construction Zones?
- 3 What Injuries Can Occur in a Construction Zone Accident?
- 4 What Causes Most Construction Zone Accidents?
- 5 What Is the Penalty for Speeding in a Construction Zone in Indiana?
- 6 Who Will Be Held Liable in a Construction Zone Accident?
- 7 Is Compensation Available for My Damages and Injuries?
- 8 How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Lawsuit in Indiana?
- 9 Contact an Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer
What Makes Accidents in Indiana Construction Zones So Common?
One of the main reasons accidents happen in construction zones is that the rerouted lanes, concrete barriers, and lack of shoulders leave little room for error. Traffic often bottlenecks in construction zones, raising stress levels and keeping vehicles close to each other. Construction site roads also have debris, uneven pavement, and unfinished road surfaces.
Additional factors making construction accidents common include:
- Construction equipment entering and exiting the roadway
- Poor visibility from dust, visual obstructions, and unusual lighting
- Speeding drivers trying to save time despite lower limits
- Traffic congestion caused by fewer or smaller lanes during construction
What Are the Most Common Types of Accidents in Construction Zones?
Some of the most frequent accident types in work zones are:
- Rear-end collisions due to sudden stopping
- Sideswipe crashes from narrow lanes
- Fixed object collisions with barriers, equipment, etc.
- Collisions with workers on foot near the roadway
- Loss of control crashes on uneven surfaces
- Multi-vehicle pileups in congested zones
- Collisions caused by improper merging
What Injuries Can Occur in a Construction Zone Accident?
Construction zone crashes can result in serious injuries such as:
- Blunt force trauma from impact forces
- Broken bones or fractures
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
- Severe lacerations or abrasions
- Amputations from heavy equipment
- Burn injuries from materials or equipment
- Toxic chemical exposure
What Causes Most Construction Zone Accidents?
The major causes of construction zone crashes all involve driver negligence, including:
- Driver inattention, distraction, or fatigue
- Speeding above the posted limits
- Tailgating other vehicles
- Unsafe lane changes or merging
- Impaired driving from drugs or alcohol
- Poor visibility of signs or hazards
- Unfamiliarity with changed road conditions
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
A construction zone accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to identify the cause and hold the negligent motorist accountable.
What Is the Penalty for Speeding in a Construction Zone in Indiana?
Speeding tickets in Indiana can be expensive. However, the penalties for speeding in a construction zone are even more severe to discourage driving behaviors that put workers at risk.
Indiana’s fines for speeding in a construction zone are:
- $300 minimum for a first-time offense
- $500 minimum for a second offense
- $1,000 minimum for a third offense within three years
- Up to $5,000 for aggressive or reckless driving
- $10,000 plus jail time for drivers responsible for the injury or death of a highway worker
In addition to these penalties, drivers who cause accidents in construction zones are also legally liable for the resulting harm suffered by anyone they strike and injure.
Who Will Be Held Liable in a Construction Zone Accident?
Determining liability after a construction zone crash can be complicated since multiple parties are often involved, including construction companies, contractors, state transportation departments, and motorists.
Generally, a driver who causes an accident through negligent behavior like speeding or distraction will be considered at fault. However, in some instances, liability may also fall on other parties, like:
- The construction company, if warning signs, barricades, or traffic control measures were insufficient
- The state or local government, if poor road conditions contributed to an accident
- Truck drivers operating heavy construction vehicles, if improper loading, maintenance issues, or lack of training contributed to the crash
An experienced construction zone accident attorney can investigate every angle to determine the liable parties and hold them financially accountable.
Is Compensation Available for My Damages and Injuries?
If someone caused the accident that resulted in your injuries, you have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against them. A construction zone accident claim can provide you with compensation for a range of losses, including:
- Medical expenses, including EMT treatment, ER visits, doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, diagnostic scans, surgical procedures, medication, assistive devices, and physical therapy
- Lost wages from missed time at work due to your injury
- Reduced earning capacity if your injury causes a long-term disability preventing you from returning to your previous job
- Physical and psychological pain and suffering
If you are a construction worker who suffered injuries due to a negligent driver in a construction zone, you could be entitled to file both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party injury claim. The team at Truitt Law Offices can help you pursue every avenue available to you for maximum compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File an Accident Lawsuit in Indiana?
The Indiana statute of limitations states that personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. However, your specific circumstances may lengthen or shorten that timeframe. You should speak with a knowledgeable Indiana construction zone accident attorney to ensure you understand what deadlines apply in your case.
Contact an Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer
The aftermath of a construction zone car accident can be a financially and emotionally draining time. However, it is important to remember that you do not need to face it alone. An experienced Indiana construction zone accident attorney with Truitt Law Offices can help you pursue the compensation you need so that you can move on.
Our team has the skills and resources to identify the at-fault party, calculate the value of your losses, and fight for the justice you deserve. And we’ll do it without charging you any upfront fees or costs. You only pay us if we recover money on your behalf.
We listen. We care. We want to help. Contact us today for a free consultation, and we’ll tell you how we can put our 40 years of experience to work on your behalf.
