The temperatures are rising, the sun is shining, and the days are getting longer in Illinois. You know what that means—road construction season is back in full swing. Construction zones can be dangerous places for drivers, pedestrians, and construction workers alike. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 39,000 construction zone motor vehicle crashes that resulted in injuries across the country in 2019. Understanding the cause of these accidents can help prevent them from happening in the future.
Causes of Illinois Work Zone Accidents
Many of the factors that can cause accidents in a work zone are similar to the causes of accidents that occur anywhere else. Some of the most common causes of work zone accidents in Illinois include:
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Speeding: In most work zones, the speed limit will be significantly decreased to account for all of the changes in the roadway. Violating a work zone speed limit in Illinois can result in significant traffic penalties, but it can also result in serious traffic accidents. Some work zones involve shifting lanes in the road or even workers present directing traffic, both of which could contribute to an accident if a speeding driver is not careful.
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Distracted Driving: In many cases, work zone accidents are also the result of a distracted driver. There are many different types of distractions that could plague a driver. The most common distractions are electronic devices or cell phones, which cause the driver to take their eyes off the road and not be fully aware of their surroundings.
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Unsafe Work Zones: In some cases, a work zone itself may be the cause of an accident. For example, if there are no cones or barriers present when there should be something guiding traffic, an accident could happen if a vehicle goes the wrong way. A work zone could also have incorrect or missing signs guiding traffic, which could lead to an accident.
Contact a Crystal Lake, IL Construction Zone Accident Attorney
When you are injured in a car accident, you can experience the effects every day of your life. If you have been injured in a car accident because of the negligence of another person, you should speak with a McHenry County construction zone accident lawyer. At Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC, our team is here to help you determine what steps you should take to recover compensation. To speak with a knowledgeable attorney, call our office at 815-338-3838 and schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.irtba.org/Safety