Accidents in Construction Zones in Ohio

Ohio Construction Zone Accident Lawyers

There were 4,796 crashes in Ohio work zones in 2021. 35% of these work zone accidents occurred with workers present, resulting in 1,759 injuries and 29 deaths.

As you can see, there’s a reason why fines for speeding and moving violations are higher in construction zones: they are extremely dangerous places. When you combine heavy equipment, narrow lanes, construction workers, and fast-moving cars, you get a recipe for disaster.

What Causes Construction Zone Accidents?

If you get into an accident in a construction zone, you may end up seeking compensation from a construction company or local government instead of another driver. For example, your work zone could have happened because of:

Inadequate Signage

Construction crews need to put up signage to give motorists time to slow down before they reach the work site. There are even state and federal regulations that prescribe when and where signs should be placed. A failure to follow these regulations could be proof of the construction company’s negligence.

Poor Road Conditions

The construction work can make the road too dangerous for drivers. From uneven pavement to construction vehicles obstructing the lanes, there are many ways in which a construction company’s actions can contribute to an accident.

Bad Engineering or Construction

In some cases, the engineers make mistakes that may result in dangerous conditions for motorists or even the failure of the structure being built. Other times, the workers executing these plans take shortcuts that result in injuries or car damage to the motorists passing through the construction zone.

Careless Construction Workers

Even if the accident happened between you and another driver, the people working at the construction site could have negligently caused your injuries. For example, if a construction vehicle unexpectedly veers into the road, and causes another driver to swerve into you, both the other driver and the construction company could be liable for any resulting damages.

Reach out to KNR today and we’ll help determine the best way to get compensation for your injuries.

Liability for a Construction Zone Accident

Work zone accidents can happen anywhere, and various parties can share liability. And while work zone accidents are more frequent in high-traffic areas like highways under construction, they are also known to occur in residential areas, or wherever road work is happening.

Determining fault for a work zone accident can be complicated, and a lot depends on the circumstances involved. Generally, a driver or any party whose negligence contributed to the accident is deemed responsible, but things are rarely that cut and dry.

For example, a distracted driver may be speeding in a work zone and cause a collision. But a third party may also share some of the blame if they failed to post proper signage, warning drivers of the area’s work zone status. In this case, an injury victim may file claims against both the distracted driver and the entity responsible for posting warning signs.

An Ohio Construction Zone Accident Lawyer Can Help

The best way to determine liability and estimate what you may be entitled to in terms of compensation is to consult a lawyer. Your lawyer will gather all the evidence surrounding your accident and piece together what happened.

By studying the police report, your car damage, the accident scene, and witness statements, your lawyer will be able to determine which parties might be held liable for your injuries and car damage. Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation.

Sharing Fault for a Work Zone Accident

In Ohio, anyone who is less than 50% responsible for an accident can seek compensation through the insurance claims process or the courts. The available compensation is reduced in proportion to the accident victim’s fault. For example, if an insurance claims adjuster concludes that you were 20% responsible for the accident, you will only be entitled to compensation for 80% of your damages.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

If the insurance company takes issue with your claim or refutes liability, your lawyer has the skills necessary to push back and get you the highest settlement amount possible. In some cases, your lawyer may need to file a lawsuit to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Hurt in a Work Zone? Call KNR

The last thing you want to do is to spend hours at your desk sifting through documents or arguing on the phone with an insurance company. Not only can a lawyer help you get a bigger settlement, but their help will also allow you to focus on recovering from your injuries.

The car accident attorneys of Kisling, Nestico & Redick understand that accident victims need more than just effective advocacy—they need compassion and personal attention. If you’ve been in a construction zone accident, call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation regarding your case.