What Should I Do After a Construction Zone Car Accident in Texas?

Accidents occur in construction zones regularly. Unfortunately, construction work on or near the roadway can lead to significant confusion, bottlenecked traffic, closed-off lanes, reduced speed limits and more. Not only is this dangerous under ideal conditions, but construction work zone accidents are much more likely to occur when there are negligent or careless drivers on the roadway. Additionally, there are times when these incidents are caused by the negligence of a road construction company or governmental agency responsible for the site. Here, we want to discuss steps that you can take in the event you are involved in a construction zone car accident in Texas.

What Should I Do After a Construction Zone Accident?

If you have been involved in a construction zone crash in Texas, you should take the following steps to ensure that your rights are protected:

• Seek medical care immediately. Regardless of how minor or severe injuries are, you need to seek medical care immediately. Let a doctor evaluate your situation and determine any necessary treatment.
• Make sure law enforcement comes to the crash. Law enforcement officials need to come to the scene of the crash to conduct a preliminary investigation and determine liability. You will need an official copy of the accident report for your insurance carrier.
• Gather evidence. If you are able to safely do so at the scene, use a phone or other camera to take photographs of any damages, injuries, causes of the crash, construction zone signage, temporary road markings, etc.
• Report the incident to your insurer. You need to report the incident to your insurance carrier as soon as possible. You do not have to go into much detail about the incident initially, but the carrier does need to know that a crash occurred.
• Contact an attorney. You should consider consulting with a skilled Texas car accident lawyer in the aftermath of an incident around a construction zone. A personal injury attorney will have the resources necessary to conduct a full investigation to determine liability in the case.

Construction Zone Accidents: Who is Liable?

There may be various parties that could be held liable in the aftermath of a Texas construction zone accident. This could include other drivers on the roadway, construction companies, contractors or subcontractors, government agencies, etc. Construction companies or governmental agencies may be liable in the event:

• They failed to alert drivers with adequate warning signs
• They did not properly mark temporary lanes for drivers to follow
• They neglected to properly cordon off dangerous areas
• They failed to guide traffic when necessary
• Construction workers left dangerous construction equipment near the roadway that created a hazard for drivers

According to data available from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were more than 26,000 total crashes reported in work zones throughout the state during the latest year. Out of these incidents, there were:

• 168 fatalities
• 689 suspected serious injuries
• 2,448 non-incapacitating injuries
• 7,840 possible injuries

If you or a close loved one has been injured as a result of construction zone car accidents in Texas caused by the careless or negligent actions of another party, seek legal advice and assistance from our law office immediately. The accident attorneys at our law firm will work to fully investigate your case in order to secure maximum compensation for your personal injury claim during a free consultation.