Waldorf, Maryland Construction Zone Car Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Accidents and Injuries in Road Construction Zones in Waldorf

On the roads and highways throughout Maryland, construction work happens regularly. In active work zones, drivers need to slow down and take extra care as they navigate narrow lanes, shifting traffic, and uneven pavement while avoiding risks to workers who are performing construction alongside moving traffic. When drivers do not adjust to these conditions correctly, they may cause car accidents that can have severe consequences for people in other vehicles or for workers who may be involved.

The team at Farmer & Klopfer understands how serious construction zone accidents can be. Our attorneys have been representing injury victims for decades and helping them obtain compensation for the harm caused by negligent drivers or others. With our proven record of success as we have fought to protect the rights of injury victims, we can make sure people will be held responsible for failing to drive safely in work zones and injuring others.

Why Construction Zone Accidents Can Be Dangerous

Work zones often involve hazards that are different from the issues that affect drivers in ordinary traffic. A driver who is speeding on an open highway may have enough time and space to correct their course when necessary, but there is a much smaller margin for error in a construction zone. When drivers encounter unexpected traffic patterns in work zones or need to merge or stop with little warning, small mistakes can have devastating consequences.

Some of the features in construction zones that can make accidents especially dangerous include:

Reduced Lanes and Changing Traffic Patterns

In construction zones, drivers will often need to drive within narrower lanes. Traffic may be shifted into other lanes, or some lanes may be temporarily closed. When drivers are used to driving in regular traffic in certain areas, they may not realize that traffic patterns have changed, especially when driving at night or in poor weather. A driver who drifts out of a narrow lane of traffic in a work zone may strike a concrete barrier, construction equipment, another vehicle, or a worker.

Workers Close to Moving Traffic

Road construction workers may need to perform work in locations where vehicles may pass within feet or inches of them. Flaggers, pavement crews, equipment operators, and other workers may work with their backs to traffic, and they may need to take their attention away from passing vehicles as they concentrate on their work. When drivers act carelessly, road workers may have no protection from being struck by vehicles.

Slower Speeds and Sudden Stops

When a driver is approaching a construction zone, traffic may slow down or stop with little warning. During busy times of the day or in situations where equipment temporarily blocks the road, traffic may quickly come to a standstill. If a driver is not fully paying attention, they may be unable to avoid a rear-end collision or another type of dangerous accident.

Uneven Pavement and Obstacles in the Road

In construction areas, the surface of the road may be rough, or it may change unexpectedly. Joints between old and new pavement, gravel in roads, or uneven surfaces where the top layer of asphalt has been removed may affect the handling of vehicles. When drivers do not slow down to make sure they can drive safely on uneven roads, they may be more likely to lose control and cause accidents.

Limited Visibility

In areas where construction work is being performed, issues such as temporary signs, large machinery, or barriers may restrict drivers' ability to see traffic or people who are working on the road. At night, issues with lighting, reflective gear, barriers, and headlights on construction equipment or oncoming vehicles can cause confusion for drivers. People who do not slow down and adjust their driving to maintain safety may not be able to see and react to hazards quickly enough to avoid collisions.

Common Causes of Construction Zone Accidents

The majority of work zone car accidents occur because of unsafe, careless, or negligent behavior by drivers. This may include:

Speeding Through Work Zones

Speed limits will usually be reduced in construction zones to ensure that drivers will have enough time to see changing conditions and slow down or stop when necessary. When a person ignores the speed limit in a work zone, they can put others at a serious risk of being injured in a collision.

Distracted Driving

In construction zones, drivers will need to pay close attention as they navigate unfamiliar conditions and sudden changes in traffic. When drivers become distracted by looking at their phones, eating and drinking, or other activities, they can easily miss important details like slowed traffic, shifting lanes, or construction equipment in the road. They may not notice hazards until it is too late to do anything to avoid a harmful accident.

Failure to Merge Properly

In work zones, lanes will often be closed, and traffic will be directed from multiple lanes of traffic into fewer lanes. When merging, drivers will need to maintain appropriate speeds and yield to other vehicles when necessary. Drivers who do not merge correctly or who cut other vehicles off may be responsible for causing accidents.

Intoxicated or Fatigued Driving

Alcohol, drugs, and fatigue can cause dangerous impairments for drivers, preventing them from driving safely in construction zones. An intoxicated driver may not realize that lanes have shifted, or a fatigued driver may not be able to respond to a flagger or slowed traffic in time to avoid a collision.

Contact Our Waldorf, MD Construction Zone Accident Lawyers

Accidents in road construction zones can cause serious injuries to drivers, passengers, and workers. Victims may need to act quickly after these types of accidents to ensure that evidence is obtained and that a negligent driver can be held liable. At Farmer & Klopfer, we are committed to fighting for our clients' rights and meeting their needs as they address injuries that have been caused by negligent drivers. To arrange a free consultation and learn how we can assist with your case, contact our Waldorf work zone accident attorneys at 301-843-3890.