It seems like the road construction in Oklahoma and Arkansas never ends. Road construction can be a sign of improvement in a community – more residents, more traffic, more need for improved roads. But construction zones can also be a dangerous place for drivers, workers and pedestrians. When highways or streets are closed, drive times increase and patience decreases. Changing surroundings can lead to an increased opportunity for accidents. Construction zones typically feature two types of accidents – those caused by inattentive drivers and those caused by negligence of workers.
Type of Construction Zone Negligence
Construction zones should be made safe by the workers and companies managing the site, however, this is not always the case. A worker or their employer may be negligent if they have:
- Left a large amount of debris on the road
- Failed to move equipment and machines off the roadway
- Moved barrels or other barriers back so they no longer warn of areas which should be avoided
- Not replaced covers on manholes
- Failed to install or repair barriers that separate lanes of traffic from the dangerous construction area
- Not provided adequate warning signs to warn drivers of lane change shifts or other required information about the driving area
- Failed to install barricades to prevent drivers from driving off the road and into a construction area.
Wrecks Caused By Inattentive Driving
Drivers should always be aware of their surrounds, but some folks are too aware – they spend time gawking at the workers and checking for progress and forget to drive safely. If you are in what seems like a minor accident in a work zone, don’t dismiss it as a minor fender bender. You should contact your doctor to evaluate you for possible injuries such as whiplash or back injuries. And even if your car does not appear to be damaged, it is very possible that damage is hidden underneath the car or under the covered area of the bumper. Because car bumpers are designed to reduce harmful impact to passengers, the force of a crash is distributed to the car’s frame. Have a trained mechanic inspect your car to verify that it is still safe to drive.
After any type of wreck, be sure to check with the experts: a physician, a mechanic and a lawyer. Even a small impact – like you might expect at a construction site when drivers should be going slower – needs attention from someone focused on helping fix the problem. The Oklahoma and Arkansas personal injury lawyers at Carr & Carr Attorneys can help you determine your next steps to protect your rights and gain the compensation you deserve. The Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas attorneys at Carr & Carr can help you by:
- Taking calls from insurance companies so you don’t have to deal with them
- Refering you to medical care providers including specialist who work with accident victims
- Negotiating with insurance companies to get you the money you deserve.
With offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas (Springdale, Arkansas) Carr & Carr can help you if you’ve been involved in an accident in a construction zone. Email or call -877-392-4878 to talk with someone today.
Mary and Bill are clients who were helped by Carr & Carr after a major road construction zone accident.
