Car Accidents in Pennsylvania Construction Zones

Our Pittsburgh attorneys can fight to protect your rights after a work zone car accident

Construction zones are a common sight on Pennsylvania's roads and highways. While these areas signify infrastructural progress and improvement, they also present challenges for drivers, roadside workers, and vulnerable road users.

Work zone crash statistics

Across the United States, one work zone fatality occurs for every 4 billion vehicle miles traveled. Between 2021 and 2022, work zone fatalities decreased by 7%, while overall roadway fatalities declined by 1.7%. Fatal rear-end collisions in work zones also decreased.

In 2022, a total of 891 people died in work zone car accidents nationwide. Roughly 742 were drivers and passengers, 145 were pedestrians and bicyclists, and four were "other" road users, including construction workers. Additionally, 21% of work zone crashes involved a rear-end collision, 30% involved large trucks, and 34% were caused by speeding.

Pennsylvania faces ongoing issues with construction zone accidents. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the state had 1,293 work zone crashes in 2022, which resulted in 14 fatalities. This represents a slight decrease from previous years, but the numbers remain high and of significant concern.

How do construction zone car accidents occur?

Several types of car accidents commonly occur in construction zones. They're primarily caused by speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, and poor visibility. These include:

Rear-end collisions: These accidents frequently happen when drivers fail to notice slowed or stopped traffic ahead, often due to sudden lane closures or merges.
Sideswipes: Improper lane changes or merges in narrowed construction zones can lead to vehicles sideswiping each other.
Work zone intrusions: Vehicles sometimes veer into closed-off work areas, endangering construction workers and potentially colliding with construction equipment.

What injuries are common in construction zone car accidents?

Work zone car accidents can lead to several types of injuries that vary in severity, including:

Whiplash and neck injuries: Sudden stops or rear-end collisions often cause these injuries, which can have long-lasting effects.
Traumatic brain injuries: High-speed impacts or collisions with construction equipment can result in severe head trauma, including concussions and other TBIs.
Spinal cord injuries: These can occur from violent impacts or rollovers, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.
Fractures and orthopedic injuries: Broken bones and joint injuries are common in construction zone accidents, often requiring surgery and extensive recovery periods.

Who is liable for construction zone accidents?

The burden of proof in a construction zone car accident requires you to meet four key criteria:

The responsible party had a duty of care to use caution, follow all road rules, and adhere to work zone laws and regulations.
The responsible party failed to uphold their duty of care.
Your injuries were the direct result of the responsible party breaching their duty of care.
You sustained damages (financial losses) such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses.

Each case requires careful investigation to determine the responsible parties. Multiple parties often share liability, the legal term for who's legally responsible for paying for your accident. Such liable parties can include:

Drivers: Motorists who fail to follow posted speed limits, ignore warning signs, or drive distracted can bear primary responsibility for car accidents in construction zones.
Construction companies: If a company fails to maintain proper safety standards, such as inadequate signage or improper equipment placement, they may share liability.
Government entities: State or local governments responsible for road maintenance and construction oversight could face liability if they neglect their duties.
Vehicle or equipment manufacturers: In some cases, faulty vehicles or construction equipment may contribute to work zone accidents.

How are car accidents in construction zones investigated?

To build a strong case against the at-fault party and their insurer, an experienced Pittsburgh car accident lawyer will need to launch a thorough investigation. These investigations often include gathering key evidence, including:

Photographs of vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, debris, and the construction zone layout.
Precise measurements of the crash scene and relevant construction zone features.
Statements from witnesses, drivers, passengers, and construction workers.
Electronic data such as vehicle event data recorders, black boxes, and cellphone records.
Surveillance footage from nearby traffic cameras, security cameras, or dash cams.
The police report filled out by the responding local police officer or state trooper documenting your accident.
Your medical records, including your injury diagnosis, medical bills, appointment logs, and medical expert testimonies.

What should I do if I'm in a construction zone accident?

Whether you're a motorist, pedestrian, or roadside worker, if you find yourself involved in a construction zone accident, take the following steps right away:

Move to a safe area if possible.
Call 911 immediately to report the crash and request medical assistance.
Drivers should turn on hazard lights and set up flares or warning triangles if available.
Exchange contact and insurance details with other parties involved.
Take photos of the crash scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Collect contact information (full names and phone numbers) from witnesses.
Note the presence and locations of construction signs, equipment, and workers.
Even if you feel fine, get a medical evaluation. Some injuries may not show symptoms immediately, and you can never be too careful about your health.
Keep all medical records and follow your doctor's treatment plan.
Notify your insurance company about the work zone traffic accident.
Avoid providing recorded statements to insurance companies and consult with an attorney.
Contact a car accident lawyer immediately to learn more about your legal rights.

How much is my settlement after a car accident in a construction zone?

The amount of money you're eligible to receive depends on how severe your injuries are and how much they impact your life. Before accepting a settlement from an insurance company, an attorney will need to determine the true value of your claim that extends until you reach maximum medical improvement.

Your settlement could range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars or even more. Your settlement should cover all medical expenses, loss of income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses related to your injuries, both now and in the future.

How do I file a claim if I'm a construction worker injured in a car accident?

If you're a construction worker hurt in a work zone car accident, you can file both a workers' compensation claim and a third-party work injury claim. Unlike a personal injury claim, workers' compensation doesn't require you to prove fault. You only must prove that your injury happened within the scope of your employment.

In Pennsylvania, workers' comp covers medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation and vocational retraining, partial and permanent disability, and death benefits (if you lost a loved one). However, it doesn't cover property damage and pain and suffering.

To recover additional damages not covered by workers' compensation, you'll need to file a third-party workplace personal injury claim. This type of claim can only be filed against a party other than your employer or a co-worker. That can include a vehicle driver, contractor, another company working on the same site, or a manufacturer.

Take legal action today and secure maximum compensation

The aftermath of a car accident in a Pittsburgh construction zone can be confusing, chaotic, and frustrating. While you're already dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies, building a strong legal case may be the last thing on your mind. Let the experienced team at Romanow Law Group sort it all out for you.

Our law firm understands the unique challenges these work zone car accidents present. We know the tricks insurance companies often use to reduce your settlement or deny your claim and how to respond.

We also believe injury victims deserve access to legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That's why we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront for our services. We only receive a fee if we win your case, a percentage of the compensation we secure for you.

Don't let time slip away. The sooner you act, the easier it will be for our attorneys to gather fresh evidence and build a strong legal case. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice and fair compensation.

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