Morrin Law Office
Richmond Construction Zone Vehicular Accident Attorney
Roads and highways needing construction or maintenance require work zones.
Construction work zones are temporary sites used to create or fix roads but can also result in causing more harm than good. Construction zones typically have multiple workers on the road and large machinery that could easily distract drivers. Although the goal of a work zone is to create safer roads, the reality is that the presence of the work zone itself can create dangers to those driving and can result in unexpected motor vehicle accidents.
If you were injured in a construction zone vehicular accident in Richmond or the surrounding Kentucky areas, it is important to familiarize yourself with the process and options for filing a personal injury claim. The Kentucky Personal Injury attorneys with Morrin Law can provide insight and help fight to win the compensation your injuries deserve.
Kentucky’s Work Zone Training
When a construction work zone is going to take place, the company or employing agency must first abide by the training standards laid out by the Kentucky Safety Cabinet.
The following is a statement provided in Kentucky’s Policy and Procedures for the Safety and Mobility of Traffic Through Work Zones:
“The Cabinet’s training program will require appropriate training for personnel involved in the development, design, implementation, operation, inspection, and enforcement of work zone related transportation management and traffic control. This includes, but is not limited to, transportation planners, design engineers, traffic and safety engineers, construction project staff, and maintenance staff and staff involved in the issuance and monitoring permits…the Cabinet may require that appropriate consultant and contractor staff undergo approved work zone traffic management training in order to obtain prequalification status.”
The Cabinet requires three levels of training for field employees involved in work zone traffic management:
- Work Zone Traffic Control Supervisor (WZTCS) – Required for any person acting as a Project Traffic Coordinator (PTC) for interstate or other projects deemed “significant” by the Cabinet.
- Work Zone Traffic Control Technician (WZTCT) – Required training and qualification for a person acting as a PTC for any project that does not involve work on the interstate or identified as a “significant” project. This type of position must be supervised by a WZTCS.
- Work Zone Flagger Training and Qualification – Required by any person performing or supervising flagging operations on any roadway, regardless of designation.
What Causes Construction Zone Accidents?
The Kentucky Safety Cabinet published Work Zone Statistics from 2006 – 2022, including the number of injuries and deaths caused by work zone accidents:
|
Year |
Construction Zone Wrecks |
Injuries |
Fatalities |
|
2006 |
610 |
150 |
15 |
|
2007 |
715 |
169 |
8 |
|
2008 |
561 |
109 |
5 |
|
2009 |
668 |
139 |
12 |
|
2010 |
558 |
116 |
5 |
|
2011 |
1,021 |
226 |
3 |
|
2012 |
630 |
129 |
8 |
|
2013 |
727 |
182 |
6 |
|
2014 |
807 |
173 |
4 |
|
2015 |
819 |
194 |
7 |
|
2016 |
675 |
143 |
10 |
|
2017 |
1,007 |
233 |
12 |
|
2018 |
1,042 |
280 |
3 |
|
2019 |
1,251 |
323 |
8 |
|
2020 |
905 |
228 |
6 |
|
2021 |
1,252 |
299 |
10 |
|
2022 |
1,074 |
271 |
6 |
A construction zone accident can be caused by any of the normal causes of motor vehicle accidents. However, there are certain circumstances that are unique to a construction zone wreck:
- Lack of driver visibility – Construction zones can decrease driver visibility when there are lane barricades or large machinery blocking the view to the road. If the construction zone is operating at night, bright lights can also cause a lack of driver visibility.
- Driver confusion or inattention – The presence of a construction zone can easily cause confusion, frustration, or inattention for drivers. The driver may not have been aware of lane closures or changes or become frustrated due to slower traffic caused by the work zone.
- Lack of signage or warning of construction zone – When a construction zone is operating in Kentucky, they must establish a Public Information Plan to inform the affected road users. The plan should include information pertaining to any expected road closures or road alternatives. A lack of signage or warning could result in a construction zone wreck.
- Malfunctioning equipment – Construction zones often use large machinery to create or maintain roads. If any of the equipment malfunctions or is operated in a negligent or reckless manner, it can result in a wreck.
These are just a few causes of construction zone accidents; if you were in an accident caused by a reason not listed above, contact a Richmond personal injury attorney to determine if you have a case.
Potential Injuries
Injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident can vary in severity. A motor vehicle wreck that took place in a construction zone may result in any of the following injuries:
- Abdominal pain;
- Back pain;
- Broken bone(s);
- Cuts or lacerations;
- Numbness or tingling in arms and legs;
- PTSD;
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash; or
- Reduced physical functions.
Even if your injury is not listed above, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim if you’ve been injured in a construction zone accident. Make sure to get checked out by a medical professional following a wreck to determine any possible injuries. Once you have documentation of your injuries, contact Morrin Law to proceed with your personal injury claim.
Recovering Damages from a Construction Accident
An unexpected injury has various consequences. In addition to the pain and suffering you may feel, receiving medical treatment can quickly become expensive. By filing a personal injury claim, you can set out to recover the damages resulting from a construction zone wreck. Damages refer to the financial amount that may be awarded to an injured person. If your injuries resulted in any of the following damages, you should consider contacting a Kentucky personal injury attorney:
- Hospital bills;
- Cost of medicine;
- Future projected medical expenses;
- Loss of income;
- Property damage; or
- Loss of quality of life.
Determining Liability in a Construction Zone Accident
Wondering who was at fault for your Richmond Construction Vehicular Zone Accident? Unlike a standard motor vehicle wreck, liability for a construction zone accident can fall on the driver of another vehicle, the construction company, or the government agency in charge of employing the work zone.
If you’re unsure who was at fault for your wreck and resulting injuries, contact Morrin Law. Our personal injury attorneys will review your case during a risk-free evaluation and can help determine who holds liability.
Get the Facts! On the Dangers of Kentucky Work Zones
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Incident Management page, one person is injured every 13 minutes and dies every 13 hours in a U.S. work zone. Further, four out of five victims in a work zone accident are motorists, not highway workers. In an average five-day work week, seven motorists and one worker are killed due to work zones.
To avoid a construction zone vehicular accident in Richmond, Kentucky, you can follow these tips:
- Expect the unexpected – Work zone configurations can change without notice;
- Pay attention – Don’t text or talk on the phone, and keep both hands on the wheel;
- Watch the speed limit – Work zones often result in speed limit reductions, narrowing lanes, changing of traffic patterns, and highway workers;
- Be patient – Speeding and aggressive driving through a work zone can cause crashes, injuries, and fatalities;
- Keep a safe distance – Always maintain a safe distance from vehicles on all sides. The most common type of work zone accidents is caused by rear-end collisions;
- Respect work zone employees – Flaggers hold the same authority as a regulatory sign, meaning you must obey their guidance. Failure to do so can result in being cited or causing an accident;
- Stay calm – Construction zones are there to make the roads better!
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Kentucky
Getting into a motor vehicle wreck in a construction zone is an unfortunate situation for any person. If the accident was caused by the negligence of another person or party, you should consult with a Richmond injury lawyer to determine if you should file a personal injury claim.
Morrin Law provides free case evaluations, as well as educating people on the steps to take for filing a personal injury claim in Kentucky:
- Contact the Police – After any motor vehicle accident the police should be contacted. A responding officer will provide a written report to document the accident details and determine fault. Kentucky Statute 189.635 explains that if law enforcement does not provide a written report, you have 10 days from the date of the wreck resulting in over $500 in property damage to file. The Kentucky State Police Department provides a document for filling out a civilian collision report, which you can read more about here.
- Seek Medical Attention – To file a personal injury claim, there must be evidence of an injury. Generally, you should always seek medical attention following a motor vehicle wreck. It’s common for shock to prevent a person from feeling the full extent of an injury. A licensed doctor or physician can provide documentation of any indicated injuries.
- Collect Evidence – In addition to the documentation of the collision report and medical records, it is useful to gather any evidence that may support your personal injury claim. This can include images or videos of the accident scene, property damage, or sustained injuries.
- Contact a Kentucky Personal Injury Attorney – If you want the best possible outcome for your claim, you should consider consulting with a Kentucky personal injury attorney. You benefit from having an experienced lawyer on your side who is knowledgeable regarding Kentucky’s litigation laws and procedures. The personal injury attorneys with Morrin Law will help you fight to win compensation that is fair to your case.
- File Within Statute of Limitations – It’s important to familiarize yourself with the allotted time you have available to file a personal injury claim in this state. The Statute of Limitations in Kentucky for any accident involving a motor vehicle is two years from the date of the wreck or discovered injury. Morrin Law will advise you to file the claim as soon as possible, since waiting to file can result in lost evidence.
If you have any questions regarding the process of a personal injury claim, contact Morrin Law Firm at (859) 358-0300 to get started on your risk-free evaluation.
Contact Morrin Law Firm
After getting injured in a motor vehicle accident, the last thing on the injured person’s mind is dealing with the legal nuances. Morrin Law understands the importance of recovering back to full health after an unexpected injury. Our personal injury attorneys will take on the bulk of the stress by contacting insurance companies on your behalf. If your case requires going to court, our lawyers will fight to win a settlement that is fair to your injuries.
If you have any questions or are ready to get started on your personal injury claim, contact our Richmond attorneys at (859) 358-0300. We provide risk-free case evaluations and will only take on cases we believe we can add substantial value to.