All across America, summer is associated with road work. The highways, bridges, and local streets that get us where we need to go require constant repairs and maintenance in order to keep them in good condition. Of course, summertime is a time when our nation’s roads are busier than ever, as individuals and families make the most of the nice weather and time off from school and work by taking vacations, which often involve quite a bit of driving.
The road work that is going on this summer will benefit both drivers and workers, but it also poses safety risks to both groups. Workers in highway construction zones are often injured or killed by motorists who are not paying attention, or who fail to slow down to the posted work zone speed. Sometimes, a work zone accident does not injure any workers, but the motorist or motorists involved in the crash, their passengers, and their vehicles are harmed.
There are many things about construction zones that make them a popular location for accidents. In some work zones, traffic is controlled by flaggers. If drivers approaching the work zone are speeding, they may not see the flagger’s signal and may cause an accident that could harm the flagger, themselves, their passengers, or others. Changing lane patterns traffic patterns keep everyone on their toes, but distracted drivers may not even notice them and may cause an accident. Construction vehicles enter and leave work zones all day long, often at locations that are not regular entrance and exit ramps. This creates an accident risk if they fail to yield to traffic, or if approaching motorists do not see them.
Both motorists and workers can take steps to keep themselves safe in work zones. Workers must use safe work habits, and ensure that work zones are set up properly. When workers are aware of the dangers that exist both inside of the construction area, from machinery, materials, and other things, and just outside of the barriers, from car and truck traffic on the road, they can do their best to stay out of harm’s way. Drivers of cars and trucks must pay close attention to the road as they pass through work zones, and they must drive at an appropriate speed. Work zones often have posted speed limits, and failure to abide by them creates a danger for everyone. When both workers and motorists use extra care in and around work zones, everyone benefits from increased safety.
If you have been injured in a work zone accident, it is important that you speak to a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer right away. The knowledgeable and caring Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyers at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. help injured clients from throughout the region, including St. Joseph, Independence, Lees Summit, Columbia, Warrensburg, Overland Park, Olathe, Atchison, Lawrence, Topeka, and many other Kansas and Missouri communities. Please call us today, at (816) 472- 4673 to arrange for an initial consultation.