What to Do After a Truck Crash in a Construction Area?

When construction crews work in designated zones, their goal is to ultimately improve road safety for everyone. Unfortunately, the long-term benefits of road construction often involve short-term obstructions that put road users at risk.

The disruption and congestion caused by construction zones can increase the likelihood of collisions such as truck accidents. When trucks crash into other vehicles in the narrow, congested area of a work zone, the resulting damage and injuries can be especially severe. That makes just compensation all the more important. 

If you were injured in a Georgia construction zone truck accident, contact Spiva Law Group to learn more about your rights in a free consultation with a Savannah work zone accident lawyer. 

Why Do Crashes Occur in Work Zones?

When construction crews establish temporary work zones, they mark a section of the road with physical barriers and install warnings to encourage cautious driving. The goal is to protect workers and drivers alike. 

However, work zones present several potential hazards that make truck accidents more likely, such as:

• Changes in traffic flow – If the work zone disrupts the usual flow of traffic, drivers must be vigilant to navigate unfamiliar detours. When drivers are impaired or inattentive, distracted driving truck accidents can occur.
• Slower traffic speeds – Work zones typically have lower speed limits to keep workers and road users safe. Unfortunately, some drivers find this frustrating and speed to compensate, causing speeding-related truck crashes.
• Traffic congestion – Construction equipment and other extra vehicles in work zones can increase congestion, which can lead some drivers to behave aggressively by tailgating or lane weaving, increasing the likelihood of a wreck.

Steps To Take After a Construction Zone Truck Crash

If you were involved in a construction zone truck crash in the Savannah area, the steps you take afterward are critical. You can protect your legal rights and your ability to recover both physically and financially by:

• Seeking immediate medical attention for your injuries to establish a permanent record of your condition and get the treatment you need to recover
• Following your doctor’s orders to speed up your recovery and demonstrate that you take your health seriously
• Writing down everything you remember about the accident and recording your daily levels of pain and physical limitations 
• Gathering evidence from the scene, such as photos of vehicle damage and eyewitness statements
• Keeping track of your medical bills, repair invoices, and other documents related to the accident and your injuries
• Avoiding discussing the accident with others or posting about it on social media while your claim is pending
• Contacting a knowledgeable Savannah work zone accident attorney for advice

Who May Be Involved in a Work Zone Accident?

Many individuals could be involved in a Georgia work zone truck accident, including:

• Car and truck drivers – Car and commercial truck drivers may collide as they navigate the alternate route through a work zone. 
• Other road users – Motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other road users may need to travel through a work zone. 
• Construction workers –Construction workers can suffer injuries when motorists fail to exercise caution in a work zone.

Who Could Be at Fault for a Work Zone Crash?

Any of the following parties could be partially or fully responsible for accidents in Georgia work zones:

• Truck drivers, if they negligently operate their vehicles, including drivers who are intoxicated, drowsy, or simply inattentive
• Trucking companies, if they hire unqualified drivers or encourage their drivers to ignore safety standards
• Other road users, if they are behaving negligently by failing to yield the right of way, exceeding speed limits, or failing to exercise caution
• Construction companies, if they fail to set up the work zone properly or make unsafe maneuvers within the zone
• Government agencies, if they fail to keep roads safe or authorize unqualified crews to conduct road repairs
• Cargo loading teams, if they overload or improperly load trucks and the cargo spills or causes the truck to roll 
• Truck parts manufacturers, if a faulty truck component fails on the road and leads to loss of control in a construction zone

Damages Available in a Construction Zone Truck Accident Crash

With a successful construction zone truck accident claim, you could be entitled to compensation for the following accident-related losses:

• Medical expenses – the costs of any past, present, or future medical care needed to treat your injuries
• Out-of-pocket costs – any incidental expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as transportation to medical appointments
• Lost income – any reductions in your take-home pay from missed time at work and compensation for losses in your long-term earning capacity.
• Property repair costs – the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle or any other personal property damaged in the accident
• Pain and suffering – a symbolic payment for the physical and emotional pain and anguish you experienced

Why Should You Seek Legal Help If You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident in a Construction Zone?

If you were injured in a Georgia truck accident in a construction zone, it’s in your best interest to seek legal help from a qualified attorney. Accidents involving construction zones and commercial trucks tend to be more complicated because they involve more parties, more insurance companies, higher insurance limits, more regulations, and potentially higher payouts. 

As a result, more parties will have a vested interest in preventing you from getting the money you deserve. An attorney can help you protect your interests by:

• Explaining your legal rights and options
• Conducting an independent investigation of the crash
• Managing your important documents and deadlines
• Communicating with others on your behalf
• Hiring expert witnesses to support your claim
• Negotiating aggressively to maximize your compensation
• Representing you in court, if necessary

Talk to Our Savannah Work Zone Accident Lawyers Now

If you were injured in a truck accident in a Savannah work zone and it was not your fault, you deserve full and fair compensation from the party or parties that hurt you. Contact the truck accident lawyers of Spiva Law Group to discuss your situation in a free initial case review.