National Work Zone Awareness Week
Every spring, we recognize National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 26-30) to bring attention to a critical threat to public safety. Work zone accidents kill hundreds of Americans every year.
The simple act of going to work becomes fatal for far too many construction workers, and these accidents also kill innocent road users and bystanders.
It is important to raise awareness about the dangers of work zones – and more importantly, what drivers should do to reduce these risks.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a work zone accident, the experienced California car accident lawyers at Arash Law are here to help.
Facts About Work Zone Accidents
The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse provides some devastating statistics about work zone accidents. In 2019, there were 842 work zone fatalities across the country and 74 here in California. These numbers represent a significant increase from the previous three-year average of 66 deaths per year in California. Of the 842 fatalities nationwide, 135 were construction workers killed on the job. The remaining fatalities were drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Perhaps most discouraging is the fact that these deaths are often preventable. Construction zones are known to be dangerous. Certain measures – such as posting signs, reducing speed limits, and using physical barriers – are put into place to protect both construction workers and the people driving through work zones. Yet, despite these steps, hundreds of deaths occur every year. This fact is why it is so important for drivers to understand exactly what makes work zones so dangerous – and more importantly, what steps they need to take to prevent accidents in these highly dangerous areas.
Why Are Work Zones So Dangerous?
Several critical factors contribute to work zone accidents. First is the simple change in traffic patterns. If drivers do not know where to go, they are more likely to end up somewhere they should not be. The more confusing these changes are – or the more quickly they occur in the roadway – the more likely it is for accidents to occur. This risk is why construction crews need to mark traffic detours and prepare the work zone before there are workers present.
Another critical danger is the way other drivers respond to a construction zone. If other motorists become impatient, they might become aggressive. They could speed around other cars or tailgate.
They could speed or trigger other drivers to anger. All of this increases the likelihood of an accident. If you see another driver becoming aggressive in a work zone, the best practice is to let them go around you and stay clear of their vehicle. You don’t want to be anywhere nearby if that driver causes an accident.
What Drivers Can Do To Prevent Work Zone Accidents
There are some very basic, simple steps that drivers can take to prevent work zone accidents. These simple steps not only save lives – but they are also part of your legal obligation to operate your vehicle with “reasonable prudence.”
The best way to prevent work zone accidents is to avoid these areas altogether. Before leaving for a long road trip, check local traffic websites to determine if there are any road closures or detours on your route. Avoiding these routes can save you the time you might otherwise spend stuck in traffic and reduce your risk of being involved in a work zone accident.
If you are in a work zone, the best way to avoid an accident is to slow down. Reducing your speed will give you more time to react to obstacles in the road, unexpected detours, or other traffic conditions. Reducing speed also reduces the severity of injuries that occur if there is a collision.
Slowing down is not just a good idea – the law requires it. The California Vehicle Code has a specific section that requires drivers to comply with posted speed limits in a work zone. This regulation is in addition to the basic requirement that all drivers use “reasonable prudence.” These laws mean that drivers must slow down when traffic conditions (such as detours and work zones) require it.
Protecting Your Legal Rights After A Work Zone Accident
The most important thing to do after an auto accident is to get immediate medical attention. Even if you do not think you were hurt, you should still find an urgent care facility or emergency department nearby and get a clean bill of health from a qualified medical professional. Not all injuries show up right away. You could have life-threatening injuries (such as internal bleeding or a brain injury) that don’t appear for hours after an accident occurs. By then, it could be too late for treatment.
Seeing a doctor right away also protects your personal injury claim from attacks by the insurance company. If you don’t get medical attention right away, they could claim that you made your injuries worse by delaying treatment, potentially justifying a lower settlement offer. Seeing a doctor protects your legal rights. It is also important to hire a personal injury lawyer near you as soon as possible, as retaining an attorney protects you from saying or doing anything that could hurt your claim.
Injured In A Work Zone Accident? Call Arash Law To Speak To A California Car Accident Lawyer
You don’t have to spend hours searching the internet for “work zone accident lawyers near me.” The best auto accident attorneys in California are right here at Arash Law. Our skilled car crash lawyers have decades of experience, and we have collected over 500 million dollars for clients across the state.
We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We fight hard to get fair compensation so that you can focus on making the best recovery possible from your injuries.
