Morrin Law Office
Construction Zone Accidents in Georgetown, KY
When roads or highways require construction, a work zone is put into place. A work zone is a temporary site used for the maintenance or construction of a road. While these zones are used with the goal to help create safer, better maintained roads for drivers, the work zone itself can become a dangerous threat. Unfortunately, work zones can cause accidents that result in serious injury or death.
When a work zone is set up for construction, the company or government funding the work is required to provide certain warnings to drivers to indicate the ongoing project. If the workers fail to give a warning, use machinery in a negligent way, or the zone causes driver inattention, an accident can occur.
If you have been injured in a construction zone accident in Lexington, Kentucky, it’s important that you understand the full extent of the resulting injuries and damages. An experienced Lexington personal injury attorney can help you file a claim to fight for compensation.
Construction Work Zone Procedures
In 2024, Kentucky recorded 1,223 work zone crashes, resulting in 298 injuries and seven fatalities. Of those fatalities, one was a construction zone worker, while the other six were drivers or passengers.
Driving behavior is the leading cause of work zone collisions. 41% of crashes result from distracted driving. But, what if you followed all the rules of the road, ended up in a crash, and are now in a world of pain?
Surprisingly, it is far more common for drivers to be injured in a work zone accident than a construction employee. The knowledgeable Kentucky personal injury attorneys at the Morrin Law Office can help you determine the compensation you may be entitled to after a construction zone accident in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Call (859) 267-1670 today for a free consultation to find out what your case may be worth.
What are work zone crashes?
A work zone crash is a collision that occurs within the boundaries of a work zone.
A work zone is a portion of road and the areas surrounding it, including the lane, berm, shoulder, and sidewalk where a project is taking place. Projects include construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, maintenance, inspection, and more.
These projects are conducted by government agencies, private contractors, and utility companies.
During construction, the work zone must serve the purpose of allowing drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to use the space while also creating a safe work environment.
Workers on foot and in construction equipment, cars, parked equipment, unpaved roads, debris, pedestrians, new traffic patterns, and changes in speed all make construction zones a dangerous place to drive.
As a line of defense, barricades, signage, and traffic flaggers are meant to prevent crashes. Unfortunately, these defenses can still fail and crashes happen.
Can I seek compensation for a construction zone car crash?
If a construction zone worker’s negligence, or an entity operating within a construction zone’s negligence causes an accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the liable party or parties.
Depending on the specifics of the accident, liability can fall on the driver of another vehicle, the construction company, utility company, landscapers, or the government agency in charge of employing the work zone.
To find out if you have a personal injury case due to a work zone crash in Georgetown, Kentucky, contact the lawyers at the Morrin Law Office.
What is the most common type of accident in a construction zone?
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of work zone crash according to the Team Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website.
Yet, given the unpredictability of a work zone, there are many other causes of crashes in construction zones.
Construction professionals may be found liable for a crash when there is proof of negligence.
Common Causes Created By Work Zone Employees
- Hazardous road conditions
- Poor planning of movement
- Knowingly operating malfunctioning equipment
- Forcing sudden or dangerous maneuvers for drivers
- Lack of clear signage and early warnings
- Operating construction equipment that interferes with vehicle traffic
- Placing signs, barricades, or other structures too close to traffic
- Errors by flag workers moving traffic
- Decreasing driver visibility (blind spots, barricades, debris, nighttime lights, etc)
- Ignoring guidance outlined by the Kentucky Safety Cabinet
Common Causes Created By Drivers
- Driver confusion or frustration
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving while impaired
This is a short list of examples. Your crash may include negligence beyond what is on this list.
Liability: Who’s to blame for the accident?
In the state of Kentucky, fault for an accident is determined by a ‘pure comparative negligence’ rule. This means that more than one person, or company, can share blame in an accident. Compensation is adjusted based on the percentage of fault each liable party played in the accident.
For example, say you were following all the rules of the road in a work zone, turned a blind corner, and rear ended the car in front of you. After the accident you experienced whiplash and a neck injury. In this scenario, the construction company may be found fully liable for the accident, and you may receive compensation for your car and injury.
If a mowing company was operating at the same time as your crash, and debris obstructed your view when driving, the construction company and the mowing company may be found at fault.
If you were going five miles over the speed limit, you and your car may sustain greater injuries, but the payout you could receive may be lower given you could be found partially at fault.
Ultimately, work zone collisions can be complicated to sort out who is and isn’t liable. It’s essential to work with an attorney with knowledge of construction zone vehicular accidents in Kentucky to hold all accountable parties liable for your accident.
Common Injuries from Construction Zone Accidents
Have you been in a construction zone accident recently, or within the past couple of months? Have you experienced unexpected symptoms long after your crash?
Many symptoms and injuries won’t show up until hours or days later due to adrenaline. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to get examined by a doctor, and contact an attorney to discuss your case.
- Abdominal pain
- Appetite changes
- Back pain
- Blood in urine or stool
- Changes in mood and personality
- Excessive bruising that does not go away
- Fear when driving or traveling in a motor vehicle
- Headaches or migraines
- Stiffness
- Feelings of sadness and anxiety
- Loss of vision
- Neck discomfort
- Numbness
- Limited physical function
- Abdomen swelling
- Hand and feet tingling
- Unable to perform family activities and work
Don’t wait to get the help and support you may need to recover.
What damages could I recover from a construction accident in Georgetown, Kentucky?
Car accidents can impact your economic, physical, and mental wellbeing, making it essential to seek a medical diagnosis and gather the proper documentation before making a personal injury claim.
The more comprehensive the documentation, the more compelling your case could be.
Common Injuries from Construction Zone Accidents
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain and spinal injury
- Broken or fractured bones
- Cuts
- Lacerations
- Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
- Traumatic brain injury
- Reduced physical function
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Organ damage or internal injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Whiplash
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Torn ligaments
In a worst case-scenario, work zone accidents can also result in death. If someone you care about has lost their life in a construction zone accident, learn more about filing a wrongful death claim.
Financial Burdens After a Construction Zone Accident
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages, or earning capacity
- Property damage
- Transportation and travel cost
- Home modifications
- Medical equipment and assistive devices
Non-economic Burdens After a Construction Zone Accident
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life (hedonic damages)
- Disfigurement, scarring, or permanent impairment
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience and loss of amenities of life
Common Work Zone Accident Myths vs. Legal Realities
Myth: If I was speeding I can’t recover anything.
Reality: Kentucky follows pure comparative negligence. So even if you were speeding, you may be entitled to a reduced amount for a percentage of the blame.
Myth: Government agencies are immune from lawsuits.
Reality: Under KRS § 44.070, Kentucky waives sovereign immunity for highway maintenance claims, including negligent work‑zone setups. You can hold a government agency accountable.
Myth: Pain and suffering damages are capped.
Reality: Kentucky imposes caps on malpractice claims—but not on most personal injury claims. You can recover full non‑economic damages for pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Myth: Insurance companies will offer me a fair settlement quickly without a lawyer.
Reality: Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Having experienced counsel usually results in higher settlements and better protection of your rights.
Myth: Passengers and pedestrians can’t sue, only drivers can.
Reality: Anyone injured in a work zone (drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians) has the right to pursue claims against negligent parties, regardless of how they were using the road.
You Were in a Construction Zone Accident, Now What?
Contact the police to file a police report. Kentucky Statue 189.635 outlines that if law enforcement doesn’t provide a written report, you have 10 days to file a report for a wreck resulting in over $500 in property damage.
If a report was not filed after your accident, you can find more information on how to file a civilian collision report on the Kentucky Police website.
Collect evidence from the crash. This may include photos and videos of your vehicle, other vehicles, your injuries, and the surrounding area of the crash. You may also want to get testimonials from witnesses, as well as their contact information. Gather the names of any work zone employees in the accident area.
Regardless of how you are feeling, seek medical attention. The first step to being able to pursue a personal injury claim is providing evidence there is an injury. Medical professionals may also notice things you miss, or can detect symptoms that may arise in the coming days.
Find an experienced work zone accident attorney in Kentucky, like the Morrin Law Office, to determine if you have a case. Keep in mind, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the wreck or discovered injury.
Contact the Construction Zone Accident Attorneys at Morrin Law Firm
While construction zones are meant to make the roads safer for all of us, while the construction takes place is when roads are the most dangerous. Whether you’ve suffered from whiplash, a totaled car, or emotional distress after a construction‑zone crash, you shouldn’t have to bear the cost of someone else’s negligence.
The Morrin Law Office has experience holding responsible parties accountable under Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence rules. We’re available to document the harm caused to your life to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
But, time is of the essence: Kentucky’s one‑year deadline for personal injury claims can bar you from the support you may be entitled to if you wait too long.
Call Morrin Law Office at (859) 267‑1670 today for a free, no‑obligation consultation.
We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and map out the strategy to get you back on your feet—both physically and financially.