What is The Main Cause of Highway Work Zone Crashes?

What is The Main Cause of Highway Work Zone Crashes?

More than 90 percent of deadly work zone crashes occur due to driver error and negligence. These driver errors include distracted driving, speeding, driving while impaired, and disregarding traffic control devices. Crash reports indicate that many highway work zone crashes resulted from multiple driver errors interactively. For instance, distracted driving while speeding or distracted driving and disregarding traffic control devices were commonly reported jointly. Furthermore, drunk driving was also reported, along with speeding or distracted driving.

In addition, 59 percent of deadly collisions occurred on two-lane rural highways with posted speed limits of 51 mph to 70 mph. Urban areas and highways with multiple lanes can heighten the risk of fatal crashes involving heavy trucks.

Whether you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or another driver who got injured in a work zone crash, you have the right to seek compensation for the losses you incurred in the crash. To learn how you can secure maximum compensation for your damages, talk to a South Carolina personal injury lawyer right away.

Factors That Contribute to Highway Work Zone Crashes in South Carolina

Several contributing factors increase the risk of highway work zone crashes. These include:

Inadequate Traffic Control Devices

Many highway work zone crashes result from insufficient and ineffective traffic control devices. Specifically, work zones should have adequate and enforceable speed control methods to prevent crashes. Darker work zones or those that are only open at night should have sufficient reflective and illumination devices. In addition, temporary raised pavement markers or transverse markings should be installed in advance to warn motorists of an upcoming work zone.

Dangerous Roadway Conditions

One side will be under construction if a roadway is being resurfaced. This may cause motorists to maneuver their cars on rough or bumpy roads. Due to undergoing construction, the road will also be narrower, which is particularly problematic for semi-trucks.

Heavy Equipment

This machinery can be unsafe if the worker operating it isn’t trained well. The equipment can reverse and hit another vehicle or crush a pedestrian if operated improperly. Additionally, although all vehicles have blind spots, heavy equipment can have added blind spots that affect the sight of an equipment operator or a driver on the road.

Construction Company Negligence

A construction company that handles a road repair is responsible for preparing the work zone, making sure that the traffic flow is safe, and ensuring their laborers operate equipment properly. If the company takes shortcuts to reduce the time or money they should spend, the risk of an accident occurring increases significantly.

Merging Lanes and Interchanges

When traffic accumulates at an interchange or vehicles are trying to merge lanes to move into or leave a road, the risk of a crash is increased. If there’s a work zone, this risk further increases, particularly if the road signs are unclear.

Injured in a highway work zone crash? Our South Carolina personal injury lawyer at The Law Office of D. Craig Brown can inform you of your legal rights and secure fair compensation for your crash-related losses. Schedule your case evaluation with our South Carolina personal injury lawyer by filling out our online form or calling 843-676-0169.