Car Accidents in Construction Zones

When you are driving your vehicle in or around a construction zone, you probably do everything you can to ensure everybody’s safety. However, accidents do occur in construction zones, and you need to know what to do if you have been involved in a collision. There may be various parties that can be held liable in the aftermath of a construction zone crash. Here, we want to discuss what you need to do in the aftermath of an accident in a construction zone and why you may need assistance from an attorney to help recover the compensation you are entitled to.

Steps to take after a construction zone accident in Oregon

If you have been involved in a construction zone accident in Oregon, there are various steps you can take to ensure your rights are protected and that you obtain compensation for your losses. This includes:

• Seeking immediate medical care. It is critical to seek medical care in the aftermath of any vehicle accident. Not only does this ensure the victim’s well-being, but this will also establish a direct link between the crash and any injuries sustained.
• Informing law enforcement about the crash. Because of the complexity of these cases, law enforcement officials need to come to the scene and conduct their investigation. An accident report will be critical when working to determine liability.
• Gathering evidence at the scene of the crash. If it is safe to do so at the scene, those involved should use their phones or other types of cameras to take photographs of any vehicle damage, injuries, debris, causes of the crash, traffic patterns, and more. Additionally, the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses should be gathered.
• Contacting your insurance carrier. Your insurance carrier needs to know about a construction zone crash, even if you are not at fault. The insurance carrier will be able to help initiate the claims process.
• Speaking to an attorney. Because these cases can become complex, you need to talk to an attorney who will be able to obtain and preserve evidence, help prove liability, and handle all communication with other parties involved.

Who could be liable in the aftermath of a construction zone crash in Oregon?

In the aftermath of a construction zone crash in Oregon, there may be various parties that can be held liable. First, the drivers involved in a collision may share some or all of the blame, just like any other collision on the roadway. However, construction zones regularly present other liability issues. In these cases, there are others that could be to blame. This can include construction companies, government agencies, contractors, subcontractors, etc. These other parties could be liable in the event:

• They do not alert other drivers with adequate warning signs
• They fail to properly mark temporary lanes for drivers to follow
• They do not cordon off dangerous areas to prevent drivers from harm
• They fail to guide traffic for drivers to get safely through a construction zone
• They leave dangerous equipment or vehicles near the roadway that create a hazard for other drivers

Contact an attorney for help with your case today

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a car accident that happened in a construction zone, speak to an attorney as soon as possible. A Portland car accident lawyer will have the resources and experience necessary to conduct a complete investigation into the case, determine any liable party, and obtain the compensation you are entitled to. Construction zone accident cases can become incredibly complicated, so do not hesitate to work with an attorney to ensure you are treated fairly.