Construction Site Car Accidents & Injuries: Who’s Responsible?

If there’s one sight Michigan drivers are all too familiar with, it’s the sight of construction barrels. Road construction is never convenient, but it is a necessity. And now that winter is over, it’s time for road construction projects to become a lot more common — if your daily commute isn’t already being impacted by them.

Construction zones aren’t just frustrating because they result in traffic slowdowns and detours, they can be pretty stressful to try and navigate safely. Between all the people who are out working on the road, the heavy equipment being used, lanes being closed, and the possibility that other drivers might not be as cautious as they should be, there are a lot of ways accidents can happen in construction zones. So when they happen, who is at fault?

Liability for crashes in construction zones largely comes down to how exactly the accident occurred. There are many times where an accident would be the fault of another driver, but what if you’re involved in a car accident with something like a piece of construction equipment? Or if the accident was caused by some other type of condition around a worksite?

Construction zones can be very dangerous places to be, but it’s important for construction crews to be careful that the area isn’t unnecessarily dangerous. Not only do they need to make sure their employees are protected from unnecessary harm, they need to help keep motorists safe as well. For example, things like warning signs need to be placed appropriately so that drivers clearly know what to expect. If warning signs aren’t posted or they’re posted in a way that’s confusing to drivers, it’s very easy for someone to get hurt. Or if debris is left in the road or pieces of heavy construction equipment are being operated too closely to passing traffic, those factors could also lead to drivers getting into accidents. In cases like those, the construction company could be considered negligent.

Because of all of these potential hazards, some of the best things people can do to stay safe include watching their speed and stay focused on the road. According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, two of the most common causes of work zone crashes are distracted driving and speeding. When there is so much going on around you, the last thing you need is something like a phone call or a text message taking your attention away from the road. And watching your speed will give you a better chance to react to conditions in the road.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in a construction zone, regardless if the crash was caused by another driver or a construction crew, it’s important to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. You very likely have a lot of questions and talking to a lawyer will help you understand how the law applies to your case and what options you have. At Goodwin & Scieszka, we have lawyers who are highly experienced in handling Michigan car accident cases. Contact us today to get started.