South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
You may not think accidents caused by road construction are common, but according to OSHA, every year more than 40,000 people are injured in work zone accidents, and every day three people on average die in accidents due to highway construction.
Nearly 20% of the U.S. highway system is under construction in peak seasons, with active construction sites estimated to be about every 100 miles.
Partly because of our wet weather and partly due to heavy traffic, road construction is common in Florida. While sometimes accidents can’t be avoided you can help keep yourself safe when going through work zones by staying alert and slowing down.
Common reasons for accidents in road work zones:
- Poor flagging and poor signage
- Inadequate training of road crews
- Insufficient warning that drivers are approaching construction
- Shifting lanes, sharp turns, narrow lanes
- Confusion with oncoming traffic / lack of division or lines indicating lanes
- Construction equipment making sudden movement into a driver’s lane
- Hazardous conditions remaining after construction
- Uneven pavements
- Lax safety procedures
- Construction debris or spills of slippery material
- Exit signs and other directions that are not changed post-construction
- Other drivers who make mistakes navigating the construction
If you’re injured in an accident in a work zone, call the police as soon as possible. Take pictures of the area to document conditions and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Don’t sign anything with an insurance company, and don’t post anything on social media.
Florida follows the “pure comparative negligence” system, so in a lawsuit, fault is distributed between parties. This means that, even if you think you may have been partly at fault, you are still legally permitted to sue for compensation due to injuries sustained in the accident. Parties that could be at fault include construction companies, safety inspection companies, and local government entities, which certainly have a duty to provide a safe environment for drivers. If another driver is involved in the accident, that person may also bear some fault in the accident.
As a Florida personal injury lawyer, I am committed to helping Florida residents and visitors throughout the state receive just and fair compensation to help them cope with the injuries they have sustained through someone else’s negligence.
Insurance companies and big businesses can afford to hire teams of lawyers; you need someone who will fight for you. I specialize in personal injury cases, because I believe in justice, “fighting for the little guy” and balancing the playing field. I have a track record of winning significant awards for my clients. Contact me at (954) 448-7288, 24/7 for a free consultation to see how I can help you.