Construction zones involve a dangerous mixture of heavy machinery, traffic, and people on foot. Construction crews often must modify roads and redirect traffic to accommodate their activity. These conditions can create speed drops, congestion, and abrupt changes to traffic patterns, increasing the chance of a work zone accident. A truck accident in a work zone in Kentucky can cause severe injuries and even death.
If you have sustained an injury from a construction zone truck accident in Kentucky, you need help from the personal injury attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today. Cases involving these types of crashes can be challenging to manage due to overlapping liability and the presence of commercial entities. Our truck accident attorneys have extensive experience litigating truck accident claims. We are ready to investigate your case to determine whether you have a claim for financial compensation. If you do, our attorneys have the Kentucky Courage needed to fight for every dollar you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Kentucky.
The Dangers of Construction Zones for Truck Drivers and Other Motorists in Kentucky
Work zones are meant to keep construction crews safe while performing road maintenance or construction, but they also create risks for traffic. Highway workers often have to block traffic lanes and redirect traffic flows, which presents difficulties for truck drivers. The lower speeds, smaller lanes, and reduced visibility of construction work zones can make it difficult for commercial motor vehicles to navigate through traffic.
These inherent dangers also extend to other motor vehicles and passenger vehicles. Trucks are very large, and truck accidents often involve multiple vehicles, so other drivers must be especially wary of tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks when navigating construction zones. Collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles can cause severe injuries due to these vehicles’ vast differences in size and weight.
Common Causes of Kentucky Truck Accidents in Construction Zones
The causes of work zone crashes involving large trucks are often the same as those of other vehicle collisions – negligent or reckless driving. Below are some common reasons work zone crashes occur in Kentucky:
- Speeding – Work zones have lower posted speed limits and frequently cause sudden traffic jams. Speeding trucks may be unable to stop before colliding with an object or other vehicles.
- Distracted driving – Distractions like texting or in-truck entertainment systems can contribute to accidents in work zones when truck drivers fail to recognize and react to hazards.
- Following too closely – Sudden speed reductions in construction zones can cause rear-end collisions when truck drivers tailgate traffic ahead of them.
- Driver fatigue – Tired or overworked truck drivers are more likely to get into accidents in highway construction zones.
- Negligent work zone design or maintenance – A truck accident might also happen due to negligent work zone design and poor planning, such as failing to place proper warning signage.
- Unbalanced cargo – If trucks have to make sharp or sudden turns in construction zones, unbalanced or unsecured loads can cause the driver to lose control of their rig.
Regardless of the cause of the truck accident that injured you, you need an attorney who will hear your side of the story. We can investigate the facts of the accident scene to piece together the causal chain of events and establish liability.
Who Can Be Liable for a Truck Accident That Happens in a Construction Zone?
Several parties could be liable for truck crashes in work zones, including these examples:
- Truck drivers can be liable for negligent driving that caused the accident, such as speeding or driving under the influence.
- Trucking companies can be responsible if they have unsafe driver training procedures or neglect to maintain their truck fleets properly. Trucking companies are also vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence.
- Truck manufacturers can be responsible for work zone crashes due to defective truck parts or unsafe designs.
- Construction companies may also share responsibility if they create unsafe conditions or do not post proper warnings about their activity.
Highway construction and maintenance involve several parties and many moving parts, so pinning down liability can be challenging. The key to establishing liability is identifying the root cause of the accident. If multiple parties are liable, you could pursue claims against each party individually to seek financial compensation from all available sources.
What Happens After a Work Zone Crash Involving a Large Truck?
Construction zone accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and death, but even a relatively minor work zone accident may cause serious injuries. The initial moments after a truck accident can be chaotic due to the shock and adrenaline involved in a traumatic event. However, taking proactive steps is essential to build the strongest possible claim.
Contact an attorney from Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer as soon as possible after the crash. Our attorneys can immediately begin investigating the crash. We can send both the trucking and construction companies a letter of preservation preventing them from destroying evidence relevant to your case. For instance, commercial trucks have electronic logging devices that record truck speeds and locations, so it is crucial to preserve this critical piece of evidence. Our attorneys can then manage the next steps of filing a personal injury claim and fighting for financial compensation.
How Our Kentucky Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Construction Zone Crash
The overlapping liability in work zone truck accidents can pose a barrier to injury victims seeking compensation. Additionally, construction and trucking companies – and their insurers – tend to be large enterprises with enough money to mount a strong defense. As such, working with an experienced lawyer is of the utmost importance. Your choice of attorney could mean the difference between a satisfactory resolution and a denied claim.
The attorneys from Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are ready to investigate your claim to identify the causes of the accident and establish the other parties’ liability. We can take the lead in filing a claim and negotiate with insurance companies when they try to delay or underpay. We have the Kentucky Courage needed to pursue the maximum compensation, and we will fiercely fight for you in court if negotiations break down and no alternate resolution exists.
Contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today for a free, no-obligation case consultation with a Kentucky truck accident attorney.
