Who Is Liable for Injuries in Illinois Work Zone Car Accidents?

 Posted on May 17, 2021 in Car Accidents

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2019, more than 30 people died and more than 1,700 were injured in work zone car accidents. Drivers, passengers, and road workers are all at risk of injury in a work zone crash, and in many cases, the resulting injuries are severe and life-altering. In order to recover fair compensation for your injuries, it is important to understand how liability is determined in these accidents.

Possible Liable Parties

Depending on the circumstances leading to a crash in a work zone, a variety of parties could be found negligent. These include:

• Drivers involved in the accident - As with most car accidents, negligent drivers are the most common at-fault parties in work zone crashes. Although work zones may present more accident risks, drivers are responsible for reasonably considering those risks and adapting their behavior accordingly. If a driver fails to reduce their speed or stay alert to lane shifts, construction barricades, and workers on the road, they can be liable for resulting injuries.
• Construction workers - Workers are often the victims of road work accidents, but in some cases, they can be the cause. They may be liable if an accident happens because they do not perform their duties according to safety standards; for example, if a poorly operated piece of machinery impedes the roadway without warning.
• Organizations responsible for the road work - Contractors and local or state governments who oversee road construction projects can be at fault for work zone accidents if they fail to ensure that the work zone is reasonably safe or display proper warnings to approaching vehicles.
• Equipment manufacturers - Some work zone accidents are caused by machinery, equipment, or construction vehicles that malfunction or break down when traffic is present. In these cases, the manufacturer can be liable due to a defect that could have reasonably been prevented.

If you are injured in a work zone accident, an attorney can help you investigate the crash to determine the root cause, and from there, identify the party or parties that are at fault. You are entitled to compensation from any negligent party that contributed to your injuries. This can include payment of your medical bills, as well as compensation for lost income and pain and suffering in the case of long-term or life-altering injuries.

Contact a Lake County Car Crash Attorney

Work zone injury cases can be complicated, but the attorneys at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. have the experience necessary to make sense of the issues at hand and provide you with confident representation in pursuit of a fair settlement or trial verdict. Contact us today at 847-662-3303 for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Waukegan, IL personal injury lawyer.

Sources:

https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Resources/Safety/Crash-Reports/crash-facts/2019%20Crash%20Facts.pdf