California's more than 170,000 miles of well-traveled public roads require regular maintenance and, as a result, construction crews are hard at work throughout most of the year in the Golden State. However, while this ongoing work improves roads and, ideally, roadway safety, construction zones are themselves a hazard—and traffic accidents in these areas 
are far from uncommon.
In fact, an estimated 123,000-plus crashes occur in work zones each year in the United States, leading to more than 40,000 injuries. Even more startling: a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study showed that upwards of 27,000 people lost their lives in work zone accidents between 1982 and 2017.
If you were involved in a construction zone accident in the Inland Empire or Southern California, it's important to understand your rights, options, and the value of skilled legal counsel.
Common Types of Construction Zone Crashes
Hurt in a California work zone accident? Chances are, it was in one of the following types of crashes:
- Rear-end accidents
- Collisions with road work equipment or construction workers
- Rollover crashes
- Collisions with medians and other barriers
- Collisions with other vehicles navigating the construction zone
In a construction zone, any of these types of accidents can have catastrophic consequences, including disabling physical or psychological injuries, and even death. Sadly, it's generally drivers and passengers who suffer the greatest injuries and losses.
Potentially Liable Parties in California Construction Zone Accident Cases
Who is responsible for preventing work zone crashes and, when they occur, who can be held responsible?
California law requires that motorists comply with temporary speed limits and other restrictions in work zones to prevent injury to other drivers or road workers. Those who fail to comply when workers are present and signs indicate work in progress, could face harsh fines and other penalties. Additionally, the "move over" law means you have to move over and give space to construction zones, as well as stopped, disabled, and first-responder vehicles on the side of the road.
Construction companies and government agencies in charge of road management are also subject to a number of safety regulations. When a company or agency's negligence leads to an accident, they can be held accountable. Here are a few examples of potentially liable parties in road work crash cases:
- Other drivers
- Road workers
- Construction companies
- Government agencies
- Equipment designers or manufacturers
- And others
Not sure who to name as the defendant in your personal injury lawsuit? We can help.
What You Could Recover
Ready to file a California personal injury claim or lawsuit? You can seek compensation for a wide range of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include compensation for things such as medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, while non-economic damages compensate victims for pain and suffering, psychological trauma, extensive scarring or disfigurement, and reduced quality of life. What you can expect to recover depends heavily on the details of the case, such as how the accident happened, who was at fault, the kinds of injuries and damages you sustained, and other factors.
To ensure you receive the maximum recovery possible, work with a knowledgeable and experienced accident attorney.
What We Can Do For You
Don't go toe-to-toe with an insurer or trucking company on your own—there's far too much at stake. Let the Inland Empire Law Group's accomplished legal team handle your construction zone accident case from start to finish. We'll thoroughly investigate the crash, gather vital evidence to support your claim for damages, handle communications between you and the other party's insurer and/or defense attorney, and argue why you deserve the maximum damages available.
Ready to see what we can do? Contact us today at (888) 694-3529 or (909) 481-0100 to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your case with a knowledgeable legal professional. We know this is a difficult time and we're ready to put our skills to work to help you through it.
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