Summer is here, which means the peak of roadwork construction season is also upon us. You might wonder why this is, considering summertime is prime travel time, but in most Midwestern and northern states, such as Illinois, summer provides ideal conditions for road construction.
Warmer temperatures are ideal for asphalt paving and concrete work, longer daylight hours extend working time, and scheduling major highway repairs in the summer helps state DOTs avoid winter weather delays.
While these highway improvements are meant to benefit Illinois drivers, they can also create dangerous working conditions for road construction crews.
Road construction projects place more crews, equipment, and vehicles in tight roadway spaces and busy corridors. Construction zones are filled with hazards that can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. From speeding vehicles and heavy machinery to heat-related illnesses, workers face a range of risks every day as they work to create safer roadways.
Our team at Spiros Law understands the physical, emotional, and financial challenges injured construction workers and their families often face after a roadwork zone crash. Our personal injury attorneys are committed to helping injured workers understand their legal rights and pursue the compensation they may deserve.
Common Construction Work Zone Dangers
1. Summer Traffic Volume Increases
Summer traffic can increase road construction incidents, leading to:
- More congestion near work zones
- Vacationers or tourists who are unfamiliar with the local roadways
- Constant lane shifts and detours can create confusion
- Stop-and-go traffic can lead to increased risk of crashes near workers
2. Heat and Fatigue Risks for Workers
Summertime construction zone crews spend long hours in the sun. High temperatures can also increase danger for workers, including:
- Heat exhaustion or dehydration
- Increased fatigue during long shifts, reducing reaction time
- Heavy protective gear becomes more physically taxing
3. Reckless Driver Behavior
There’s no appropriate time for negligent driving, but with more construction throughout the roadways, the following can prove fatal for work zone construction crews:
- Drivers speeding in construction areas
- More drivers mean higher chances of distracted drivers (phones, navigation, traveling with family or friends)
- Drunk drivers (especially high in nighttime construction road zones)
4. Falling Objects and Debris
Construction workers may be injured by falling tools, equipment, or debris from overhead work areas. These incidents can cause serious head injuries or be fatal.
5. Heavy Equipment Work Injuries
Crews spend long hours around large machinery, such as dump trucks, excavators, cranes, and paving equipment. Accidents involving heavy equipment can result in the following:
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fatality
6. Poorly Trained Construction Crew
Untrained construction workers may not take proper precautions during shifts, leading to mistakes that can harm themselves and others.
7. Poorly Maintained Construction Site
A construction-zone route design can be a hazard by forcing motorists to perform sudden or dangerous maneuvers. This can look like:
- Lack of warning signs or improperly placed warning signs
- Directions for detouring through the site are not fully visible
- Signs, barricades, or devices placed too close to moving lanes
- Construction equipment impairs the safe passage of vehicles moving
Who is Held Liable for Construction Zone Injuries?
Determining liability in a construction zone accident can be complicated. Evidence should be gathered quickly and carefully, including police reports, witness statements, worksite records, and any surveillance footage.
Construction workers who have been seriously injured on the job may have several legal options depending on how the accident occurred.
Injured workers are typically eligible for compensation that covers medical bills, lost wages, and disability benefits. However, third-party lawsuits may also be appropriate if another negligent party is involved.
The following parties can often be held liable for a construction zone crash:
The Driver
Negligence is one of the main factors in construction-zone crashes. An experienced construction injury lawyer in Illinois can help you determine if negligence contributed.
The Construction Company
You can file a lawsuit against the construction company if, for example, it failed to provide proper safety precautions, there was a lack of signage, the company neglected to properly train the crew, or the construction site was poorly maintained.
The Contractors or Subcontractors
Sometimes the responsibility for the negligence that caused the crash lies with the contractors or subcontractors hired outside of the general construction crew. A careless or poorly trained contractor or subcontractor can be a huge liability.
Contact Our Illinois Construction Injury Attorneys for Free Consultation
Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer after a serious construction injury is a big decision, and in some instances, can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. At Spiros Law, we provide compassionate legal guidance while aggressively pursuing compensation for injured workers across Illinois.
Once you’ve suffered injuries on a road construction site, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits or damages in a personal injury claim. To get started with your workers’ compensation claim or third-party personal injury lawsuit, contact our team at Spiros Law. We have offices conveniently located in Champaign, Danville, Kankakee, and Mattoon.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
