Car accidents can occur just about anywhere on America’s highways, roadways and streets, but construction site car accidents are somewhat different because of a variety of conditions. Those conditions include missing or inaccurate warning signs of the on-going construction, construction site debris and other sight distractions that are caused by the construction site itself. All of these conditions can lead to hazardous conditions for those driving or working on the construction site.
At construction sites, there are also dangers to pedestrians, construction workers, including heavy equipment operators and drivers of other motor vehicles. This makes the job of a construction worker, assigned to road work a very hazardous business. Many times, the construction worker is injured or killed by a driver of a car or truck who has lost control of their vehicle for any number of reasons. It could be the weather, a distraction, another slower moving vehicle or a sudden movement by a construction vehicle or machine. Tragic accidents have been known to occur on road construction sites when another car or truck strikes a concrete barrier and careens off of it into the worker’s area. At the same time a truck or car could collide with another vehicle, cause vehicles fires and then slide into the construction area putting those workers in extreme danger to serious injury or death.
Illinois drivers may notice when approaching a construction site area that there are warning signs cautioning about driver’s speed and workers on the roadway or shoulders. Many construction site car accidents are caused because the area of construction is not appropriately marked by flashing lights, obvious signage or notice to advancing traffic is not given sufficient time to be on notice of the road construction site. Sometimes the road being repaired or constructed is uneven with a sharp, dangerous drop-off in the surface, which can cause serious accidents, including rollover accidents.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a list of the dangers that can be found at construction sites for workers who are on-site and also for those drivers and pedestrians that are driving or walking by a construction site.
It has been reported by OSHA that during peak construction season, about 1/5 of America’s highway system is under construction with over 3,000 worksites. Another stunning fact is that an estimated 12 billion vehicle miles of travel a year will pass through an active work zone. Active work zones can be found about every 100 miles of highway throughout the United States including Illinois.
Associated with the dangers of construction sites is the fact that there are literally three work zone deaths each day in America. Over 40,000 people are injured each year in construction site zones caused by car accidents or semi-trailer truck accidents. These injuries and deaths can be prevented.
OSHA has rules that require a traffic control plan for speed of motor vehicles through road construction sites. In Illinois, the state’s Department of Transportation would be responsible for determining how traffic should be controlled temporarily while road or other construction is being done at or near the road, highway or street.
Construction site car accidents are common but are preventable. Public and private construction site hazards can lead to devastating injuries and deaths. Illinois drivers should be particularly aware of construction sites when traveling our roads and highways. Most road construction is done in the state in favorable weather. Resurfacing projects, road line painting and shoulder repairs are done in satisfactory weather.
Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling construction site car accident cases for more than 40 years.
The attorneys at Kreisman Law Offices are experienced in finding and holding responsible all of those parties, whether public or private, who should be made accountable for the injuries or deaths of workers, motorists or pedestrians in construction site car accidents.
Kreisman Law Offices has prevailed in trials and settlements in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas and has successfully resolved cases for severely injured clients over these many years.
With our years of experience in trying and settling construction site car 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.