Construction zone accidents can be severe, and they happen more often than you might think. Unfortunately, many drivers simply do not slow down as they should or pay as much attention as they should when driving through a construction zone. Speed and inattention often play important roles in construction zone accidents. Many construction zone accidents only affect one driver and workers or equipment. However, they can impact many other people on the road as well. When an accident occurs in a construction zone, you may want to get legal advice from Hall & Lampros, LLP. Learn more about your options by calling 404-876-8100.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Construction Zone Accidents?
Driver inattention and speeding are very common causes of construction zone accidents. In the vast majority of situations, an individual driver is at fault for this type of crash. However, there are some factors outside a driver’s control that may also contribute to accidents. Below are just a few examples.
- Poorly Designed or Misplaced Signage. Those working in construction zones must provide drivers with notice of the reduced speeds and obstacles that a driver may encounter in a construction zone. Warning signs might be too close to where the construction is occurring to allow a driver to react appropriately. In addition, confusing signs that are ineffective in telling drivers where to go can lead to accidents as well.
- Broken or Improperly Placed Barricades. Construction workers are required to properly stage construction zones. This includes marking off where drivers should not go by using reflective cones, barricades, and other tools. If things are not marked off properly, it can result in drivers moving into areas where they should not be, which can cause accidents.
- Construction Debris. Construction zones can result in debris, such as pieces of concrete, equipment, or construction materials. When these items move into traffic, they can cause significant accidents. These road hazards are even more concerning because drivers may not have anywhere else to go in a construction zone to avoid debris on the road.
- Decreased Visibility. Construction zones often create a lot of dust during the day. At night, poorly marked areas can result in confusing traffic patterns that vehicles may not follow properly because the drivers cannot see important indicators.
Ultimately, driver confusion because of the unique traffic patterns that a construction zone creates can lead to dangerous conditions for drivers. Those traveling in construction zones need to slow down and be on high alert for changed conditions to help avoid accidents. If you have been injured in a construction zone accident, or if someone you love has been involved in an accident in a construction zone, you should be aware of the legal options that are available to you. Consider scheduling a consultation with Hall & Lampros, LLP to discuss the particulars of your situation.
Construction Zone Accident Statistics Across the United States
Work zones are a vital part of maintaining and improving roadways throughout the United States and in Atlanta, Georgia. However, crash statistics indicate that these work zones can be extremely dangerous. In fact, according to the United States Department of Transportation‘s Work Zone Management Program, there is one work zone death for every four billion vehicle-miles on the road. That means that there is one fatality for each $112 million spent on roadway maintenance or construction. In addition, between 2019 and 2020 fatal crashes in work zones increased by 1.4 percent.
Work zone accidents are not exclusive to automobile drivers and their passengers, however. In 2019 and 2020, there were also 311 people killed who were on foot or on bicycles traveling through work zones. Another 21 people who were in non-motor vehicles or personal conveyances were killed as well. Speeding was a factor in 37% of all fatal crashes in work zones in 2020.
Construction Zone Accident Statistics in Georgia
The National Safety Council reports that Georgia experienced 32 total fatalities in construction zone accidents in 2020, down from 52 fatal accidents in 2019. Most accidents that resulted in a fatality involved a driver in a passenger vehicle. There were also seven pedestrian deaths and six passenger deaths in work zones in 2020 in Georgia as well.
Where Do Most Construction Zone Accidents Occur?
Most construction zone accidents across the United States occur on arterial roads. These roads are high-traffic, urban throughways that are very busy but fall below interstates in terms of use and speed of traffic. In 2020, there were 372 fatalities on arterial roads throughout the country. For comparison, the same period also saw 300 construction zone deaths on the interstate highway system.
Get Help After a Construction Zone Accident in Georgia
Your legal options after a construction zone accident can be complicated. If you have been impacted by an accident in a construction zone in Georgia, you may want to review your legal options with an experienced construction accident attorney. Learn more by calling Hall & Lampros, LLP at 404-876-8100.
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