You’re behind the wheel of your car and see bright orange cones ahead followed by a “construction zone” sign.
As you get closer, you see workers in hardhats along the side of the road, or even in the road, making repairs.
Every driver eventually finds themselves needing to navigate a work zone. Drivers in Connecticut might argue it's something that they have to deal with all the time. But do you know how to get through a construction zone safely?
Unfortunately, some motorists speed through work zones or drive while they're distracted, which could lead to a serious car accident that has life-altering consequences.
Careless choices can put workers and others sharing the road at risk, but there are certain steps you can take to help avoid causing a crash in a work zone.
6 safety tips for when you're driving in a work zone
Work zones are common on roads in Connecticut and across the nation, especially when the weather starts to warm up. Workers might be laying new pavement or adding a safety feature such as a guardrail. They may be filling potholes. Whatever their reason, these workers serve an important role and deserve to do their job in a safe environment without having to worry about getting hit by a car.
The following are some helpful tips for drivers to stay safe and save lives when going through a road construction zone:
- Stay alert and avoid distractions. This is important anytime you’re behind the wheel, but it is especially critical in work zones. Avoid changing the station on the radio or looking at your cellphone. If you have a passenger, pause your conversation until you’ve made it through the zone.
- Turn your headlights on, even if it’s not required by law.
- Follow the signs on the road. Observe the speed limit. You may need to change lanes. Be prepared to stop.
- Don’t tailgate. Traffic often slows or comes to a stop in a work zone. Tailgating puts you at risk of a rear-end crash and about one-quarter of all work-zone accidents involve rear-end collisions.
- Change lanes safely. Pay attention to the pavement markings when changing lanes.
- Pay attention to the flaggers and obey their instructions. They are often used in work zones to direct traffic.
According to crash data from the Federal Highway Administration, accidents in work zones are not unusual. For instance, in 2019, work zone crashes resulted in 842 deaths, a number that included drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. In many cases, speeding played a role: crashes often involve side-swipes and collisions with barriers or signs by drivers who are going too fast.
Put an experienced car accident lawyer to work for you
Motor vehicle accidents in road construction zones can quickly turn into complicated insurance claims.
In some cases, a negligent driver might be responsible. In other cases, a construction company may be to blame for the crash. Unfortunately, insurance companies often make the claims process difficult for injury victims and families who lost loved ones because they have a vested interest in paying people as little as possible.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one died in a construction zone crash, you owe it to yourself to protect your rights and explore your legal options.
At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, our dedicated car accident lawyers can aggressively advocate for your best interests and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Let us review the details of your case so we can give you the information you need so that you can decide what you want to do next. There’s no obligation, and if you do decide to hire us, you pay no fees unless we win your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation.