Work zone crashes in Illinois are common place, especially in spring, summer and early fall of the year; the road construction seasons. By definition, a work zone is an area of a roadway where there is ongoing construction, maintenance or utility work in place. In these areas, it is required by Illinois law that posted warning signs be visible that include flashing lights and other indicators that work zone areas are present. This is to prevent motorists from traveling at speeds that are higher than allowed in work zones.
Often times the work zone includes utility activity by contractors involved in water, sewer, electric or gas utilities. A work zone area in Illinois is from the first warning sign, signal or flashing light to the end of the road work sign or the last traffic controlled device for that area.
A work zone may also include roadway sections that have moving work activity, such as line painting or roadside mowing.
A work zone crash would occur if a motor vehicle crash takes place within the confines of a work zone that is marked by such warning signs like the beginning of work zone to the end of the work zone. A work zone crash can take place within that zone even though there are no workers present.
Naturally some work zones are in progress at different hours of the day, particularly at night when no workers are present, but the area is still designated a work zone. Many work zone crashes involve large trucks. The Illinois Department of Transportation tracks the number of fatal work zone crashes by time of day and day of week. Oddly enough in 2012, there were no crashes that occurred in an Illinois work zone on a Wednesday. Thirty-one percent of all fatal work zone crashes occurred in that year on a Tuesday. Whereas, 37% of all 2012 fatal work zone crashes occurred between the hours of 8:00 am to 11:59 am.
Work zone crashes injure motorists, truckers and work zone workers. Clearly the areas designated work zone can be especially vulnerable to crashes and severe injuries to those involved.
If you or someone you know have been injured in a car accident or worker injury in a work zone, please call us for a free immediate consultation. Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Chicago and Illinois car accidents for more than 40 years.
Kreisman Law Offices has prevailed in trials and settlements in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas and successfully resolved cases for severely injured clients for over these many years.
With our years of experience in trying and settling work zone accident cases, Kreisman Law Offices provides the best possible services to our clients and have achieved unsurpassed results. Our service is unmatched. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 for a free and immediate consultation, or complete a contact form online. There is no charge for a consultation that will include an evaluation of your case, assessment of your damages such as lost income, lost wages, medical and hospital bills, past and future pain and suffering, loss of normal life and wrongful death.