As the weather warms up, Des Moines motorists can expect to see more work zones popping up to start road repair. Drivers should adjust their commute to account for the extra time needed to get through these zones.
Motorists should also commit to being extra careful this year whenever they see a construction zone up ahead. The risk of a tragic accident increases substantially with so many cars crowded onto one lane. Injuries tend to be serious. Reach out to Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. after a collision to consult a Des Moines car accident lawyer. From our offices in Iowa City and Waterloo, we can drive out to meet you and discuss what happened. And we are always available 24/7 to our clients for their legal needs.
Statistics on Work Zone Accidents
The typical work zone involves shutting down one lane of road and using flaggers to control traffic through the narrowed right of way. Most zones have signs, sawhorses, and barricades all lit up in reflective tape to give drivers notice of where to go and when to slow down.
Accidents in work zones are common. According to the Federal Highway Administration:
- 891 drivers and passengers were killed in a work zone in 2022.
- That same year, 145 cyclists and pedestrians were killed in work zones.
- Speeding was a factor in 34% of fatal work zone accidents.
- Commercial motor vehicles were involved in 246 fatalities in 2022.
- Rear-end collisions were involved in 21% of fatal accidents.
These statistics only account for fatal accidents. There are thousands of other non-fatal accidents each year where motorists survive but are seriously injured.
We aren’t surprised by the numbers. Work zones narrow the right of way by shutting down one lane, which means there is literally nowhere to go if a speeding vehicle is coming up too fast behind you. Motorists are trapped, and one collision can set off a chain reaction, injuring dozens of motorists.
Why These Are Dangerous Accidents
A work zone accident is in some ways more serious than other collisions:
- More vehicles involved. Because so many vehicles are packed tight in the work zone, any crash is likely to require a dozen ambulances to come out to the scene.
- Inaccessibility. You could be seriously hurt but it’s hard for the ambulances and emergency technicians to get close to you because so many cars are in the way. You could be stuck in your vehicle for hours waiting for help.
Some of our clients who are hurt in work zone accidents are struggling with horrifying injuries: serious brain injuries, whiplash, and internal organ damage.
What Causes Work Zone Accidents?
Some of the primary causes include:
- Speeding. Speeding vehicles need more room to come to a complete stop. However, the traffic is often stopped at a work zone. A speeding motorist might crash into the car in front, causing a chain reaction.
- Tailgating. Drivers who tailgate are more likely to rear end the car in front of them in a work zone. These zones have many workers stepping in and out of traffic. A careless worker could step into the road, forcing a motorist to quickly slam on the brakes. A tailgating motorist will not stop in time but smash into the car in front.
- Distraction. Distracted drivers are less likely to see someone step into traffic or even see the work zone up ahead. A person texting on their phone might rear-end a car at high speeds.
- Confusion. Despite the use of signs, sawhorses, and flaggers, some work zones are confusing. A motorist might not know where to go and end up in the wrong lane.
- Debris. Construction debris in the road can cause a driver to swerve or even lose control if they hit the debris.
- Lack of signage. A work zone might not be set up properly. For example, signs might be missing or put in the wrong location. A motorist who isn’t notified of a work zone up ahead will not know to slow down.
You might not know what happened, which is okay. You could have been moving through the work zone when suddenly your car is rear-ended. In multi-car accidents, it is not always easy to identify the person to blame. It could be a driver at the rear of the line or the motorist at the front. Call Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. to speak with a Des Moines car accident lawyer about what happened.
Receiving Compensation for a work Zone Accident
If you were hurt, you are probably curious if you can receive financial compensation. The answer is “yes,” but we need to identify who or what caused the accident. Once we nail that down, we will know who to sue.
Some defendants include:
- Dangerous drivers. A tailgating or speeding motorist is more than careless—they are a threat to public safety. We can seek compensation from them if they caused a crash.
- Distracted drivers. A distracted driver is negligent and at fault for a collision in a work zone. We need proof they were distracted, however, which isn’t always easy. The driver will probably just deny they were careless or texting behind the wheel.
- Construction company. The company hired to do the road work could be to blame for designing the work zone improperly. Missing signage and negligent flaggers are some of the causes of accidents.
- Government. The government could have ultimate responsibility for the safety of the roads. We might submit a claim for your injuries to the relevant government agency.
Call our office. Identifying the correct defendant takes time and knowledge of what evidence is helpful.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Des Moines Car Accident Attorney
Work zones are annoying, making people late for their morning meeting. However, any collision in a work zone can lead to expensive medical treatment and other sources of financial distress. Call an experienced personal injury law firm in Des Moines to find out if you can make an injury claim for compensation. We have negotiated millions in car accident settlements for our clients.