What You Should Know About Filing a Claim for a Crash in a Construction Zone
Passing by or a through a construction zone can be dangerous, which is why there are usually signs, cones and even construction workers to help direct traffic. However, despite safety measures like these, you could get into a crash in a construction zone.
It is possible the construction company or its workers may hold some liability for a crash, particularly if they were negligent in how they marked off the area or directed traffic. This could make filing a claim more complicated, which is why it is important to seek qualified legal help.
At TSR Injury Law, we have helped many crash victims recover compensation for the damages they have suffered. Our firm has secured over a billion in compensation on behalf of our clients.
An initial consultation with an experienced Bloomington auto accident attorney is free of charge.
When Construction Companies May Bear Liability
Most car crashes are caused by negligent drivers, but there may be other factors involved, particularly if the crash occurred in or near a roadside construction site.
There are a variety of reasons a construction company could be liable for a collision:
- Designing a route through the site that forces drivers to make sudden or dangerous maneuvers
- Failing to display warning signs or placing them in areas with low visibility
- Placing barricades or cones too close to an active lane of traffic
- Moving construction equipment into the roadway without warning
- Displaying warning signs that give inaccurate information
- Failing to warn about changes in the road grading
- Construction debris being left in the road
- Creating debris or dust in the air blocking driver’s vision
The construction company could be vicariously liable for the actions of its employees/workers. In other words, since the construction company exerts control over their workers’ actions, if these workers act with negligence, their employer may hold liability.
It is possible your crash happened because of another driver’s actions that seemed to be negligent. However, that driver may have been forced into a reckless maneuver because of a construction worker’s negligence. In this situation, the construction company could bear liability.
For example, maybe a driver had to make a sudden maneuver because of the way traffic was directed through the construction site. Maybe a construction vehicle moved out into the road and the driver had no choice but to slam on the brakes or veer over into your lane.
If you are able, take pictures of the construction site after your crash. Try to capture the obstacle/issue that you believe led to the crash. When you leave a crash scene, things may get cleaned up, clearing away potential evidence at the same time. The area may not look the way it did right after the crash.
Can You Seek Compensation from the Construction Company?
This is something that should be discussed with a licensed attorney. However, if the construction company’s negligence contributed to the crash, it may be possible to file a claim against them for compensation.
Minnesota is a no-fault state, which means drivers generally seek compensation from their own insurance policies for medical bills and wage, but they seek other compensation from the at fault person or company.
You may be able to file a lawsuit if your injuries created medical bills of at least $4,000, left you disabled for at least 60 days, or caused permanent injury or disfigurement.
Lowering Your Risk of a Construction Zone Crash
While you cannot control the actions of other drivers, you can control how you drive when you approach a roadside construction site. Simply slowing down and leaving a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you could significantly lower your risk for a crash.
Stay alert and obey the signs, as well as the construction workers who are directing traffic. When people become distracted by their cellphones or the radio they may miss important road signs or workers who are directing traffic.
Make sure your taillights work. When you are driving at night, these lights help other drivers to see your taillights when you brake, giving them time to react when you slow down.
Injured in a Car Crash? TSR May be Able to Help
The licensed attorneys at TSR Injury Law are ready to help you seek maximum compensation. Give us a call today to discuss what happened and whether you may have a case.
There are no upfront fees for our services and no legal obligations. That means there is no risk in giving us a call to discuss your crash. We have helped victims of a variety of crashes secure the compensation they needed to move forward.
Local. Licensed. Lawyers. Call (612) TSR-TIME today.
