Accidents In Alabama Highway Construction Zones
Data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) estimates that in the most recent available data year (2022), there were approximately 820 fatal accidents in U.S. roadway construction zones. This is a slight downturn from the year before, but they are still unfortunately common on Alabama’s roadways. Work zones can be chaotic, with workers on foot near the flow of traffic, but this does not mean that negligence is justified.
If you have been in an accident in an Alabama work zone, a Birmingham auto accident attorney from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk can help protect your legal rights. There are slight differences between this and a standard two-vehicle auto accident case, and the right legal help can ensure the process goes more smoothly than it would otherwise. We are here to help.
Common Causes
Overall, the reason why work zones feature so commonly in accident cases is that the zone is in constant flux. Traffic patterns may be altered, heavy machinery is often present – and thus, its sound and noise – and drivers are more likely to be distracted than in other areas of a highway. Between these factors and the presence of pedestrians in these zones (with or without high-visibility jackets), the likelihood of accidents is markedly higher than average.
While every work zone accident case is different, certain factors do tend to appear more often than others, and can be inferred to have played at least some role in the accident. More specifically, immediate factors like poorly maintained or illegible signage, bad visibility, or sudden lane changes by impatient drivers all raise the likelihood of a crash occurring.
Who Is Liable?
If there is an accident in a work zone in Alabama, the question of who may be liable is often a difficult one to answer. The construction company overseeing the road work may be one defendant, particularly if poor signage or a lack of warnings played a role in a crash. It is also possible that a commercial driver (and/or their employer, based on a theory of vicarious liability) may bear a share of liability if they are found to have breached their duty to exercise due care for other road users.
In addition, the possibility of an injured plaintiff being liable for all or part of their own injuries must be raised. Alabama is one of four states (as of this writing) that holds to a theory of pure comparative negligence: in other words, if the plaintiff can be held responsible for any percentage of their own injuries, they may not recover money damages from any other actor.
We Can Help Protect Your Rights
Work zones require caution from all the drivers and pedestrians on the road. If you have been injured in this type of crash, a Birmingham auto accident attorney from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk can help you manage the often-confusing legal process. We are ready to give you the best chance at financial recovery. Call our office today at (205) 731-2566 to schedule a consultation.
Source:
ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/resources/facts_stats.htm
