It can be dangerous to drive in construction work zones. These areas pose more dangers and contain potential hazards to maneuver. If you crash in one due to a worker’s negligence, you might face hefty medical bills and rehab costs.
As you seek compensation following a work zone crash, it helps to connect with the right legal help. A Texas work zone car accident lawyer from Domingo Garcia is ready to help you with your case.
Dangers in a Work Zone
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), there were 690 fatalities involving drivers and passengers in work zone traffic accidents in 2019.
Work zones like road construction or sewer maintenance areas can drastically change driving conditions. For example, consider how the following factors may increase your accident risk in a work zone:
- Increased number of people in the area, such as construction workers
- Potential obstacles (e.g., signs, construction cones, and barrels)
- Narrowed or closed lanes for traffic
- Large vehicles that cannot respond quickly to changes
- Drivers speeding or not following road signs or flaggers
- Distractions or hazards appearing that force drivers to brake unexpectedly
Potential Injuries and Damages in a Work Zone Car Accident Case
Suppose you crashed while driving through a work zone. If so, you could experience damage to individual property and bodily injury. The severity of your damages will affect the progress of your claim.
A few potential damages and injuries in a work zone collision include the following:
- Body damage to your vehicle
- Flat or ripped-up tires that require replacement
- Engine damage
- Head injuries ranging from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures or crush injuries
- Back or spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
Negligence in a Work Zone Car Accident Case
Many parties could hold responsibility for your work zone car accident. Your car accident attorney can investigate the incident to determine liability. In addition, they’ll work to prove the negligence of the people or groups involved.
Examples of when a construction crew holds responsibility include the following:
- They failed to post warnings of hazards or follow workplace regulations to make a work zone reasonably safe.
- The flagger does not follow through on their duty to keep drivers safe.
- A work zone car accident occurred because of the crew’s actions or failure to act.
However, another driver could be the at-fault party in a work zone crash. For example, they might have failed to exercise caution and drive safely through the work zone. Suppose they ignore a flagger and proceed through the area, crashing into you head-on. If so, you could hold them accountable for your losses.
Compensation in Work Zone Car Accident Cases
Compensation should adequately cover the damages and injuries you experienced in a work zone car accident. In cases of catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, compensation can make a life-altering situation a little better.
For example, let’s say your injuries lead to permanent disability. In this situation, compensation could help cover your costs for medical treatment and the long-term assistance you may need. In addition, you could recover lost income while rehabilitating and your reduced earning capacity if you can no longer work.
Finally, following particularly traumatizing accidents, you could receive compensation for the physical and psychological pain and suffering you experienced.
Wrongful Death Compensation for Work Zone Car Crashes
In a wrongful death case, compensation cannot bring back your loved one. However, it can help with some of your expenses after their death. For example, suppose your loved one was your immediate financial support. In that case, compensation can help cover some of your living costs after your loved one’s death.
Working with a Work Zone Car Accident Lawyer
While you could handle your case independently, working with a lawyer has many benefits worth considering. First, their experience makes the entire process of seeking compensation easier for you. They can explore legal actions during your initial consultation and review the compensation you could recover in your work zone car accident case.
Communicating with the involved insurance companies can often be a challenge. However, if you hire a lawyer, they could help you work through the negotiations. Usually, an insurance adjuster will offer you an amount that doesn’t fully cover your damages. Instead, your lawyer can help you evaluate your losses and determine how much compensation you need to meet your current and future needs.
Finally, if you cannot reach an appropriate settlement through negotiations, our team would help you file a lawsuit within the statutory deadline set by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Texas law gives you only two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, so your attorney can help you work within this deadline.
Costs of Working with a Work Zone Car Accident Attorney
Depending on how much your case is worth, you might decide it’s wise to avoid paying lawyer fees. While this might be true in some circumstances, you might find legal help worth the cost, particularly in complex cases. The good news is that Domingo Garcia doesn’t expect upfront payment from you. Instead, we only get paid if we win your case. Then, we receive a percentage of your award to cover our legal services.
Begin Your Work Zone Car Accident Case Today With a Free Consultation
The first step in your case is an initial consultation. During this free consultation, a Domingo Garcia team member will listen to the details of your case to determine how to proceed. Then, if we can assist you with your case, we will work to help you get the highest amount of compensation possible based on your unique situation. So, contact us today to get started.
