Las Vegas Construction Zone Accidents
If there’s one thing you can always count on in Las Vegas, it’s the construction and road work that never seems to end.
From our three major freeways to the busiest surface streets to residential areas, there’s no shortage of traffic cones, dug-up asphalt, and road signs all year-round.
Most of the time, construction zones are just a normal, if somewhat annoying, part of commuting in the city. Unfortunately, though, construction zones can also contribute to car accidents that result in serious property damage, injury, or even death.
When you’ve been in an accident in an at-fault state like Nevada, determining who is responsible for the crash is crucial, since they and/or their insurance company is likely liable for damages. But when you throw a potentially unsafe construction zone into the mix, establishing fault can get complicated. Find out what to do if you’ve been injured in a Las Vegas construction zone accident from the personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys.
What Causes Las Vegas Construction Zone Accidents?
Construction or work zone accidents may have multiple contributing factors. Most construction zones are safe places when other drivers pay attention, reduce their speed, and don’t fall victim to their own impatience. Other times, even a good driver may become disoriented by unclear signage. In the end, most construction zone accidents in Vegas are caused by driver negligence. Here are some common reasons for these types of collisions:
- Distracted driving is a major problem not only in Nevada, but throughout the entire U.S. Drivers who are too busy looking at or talking on their phone, fiddling with GPS, putting on makeup, eating, or otherwise trying to multitask are much more likely to cause a crash when they are in an unfamiliar construction zone.
- Speeding through work zones is also a recurring sight on Las Vegas roadways. When drivers don’t take the time to slow down or properly read work zone signage, they put everyone around them at risk of an accident.
- Narrowed lanes and bottlenecked traffic, in conjunction with driver negligence, can increase the risk of being involved in a car, bike, or even a pedestrian accident. Failure to yield, or trying to cut in front of other merging vehicles as lanes narrow, can easily result in sideswipe accidents.
- Misleading or missing work zone signage or traffic barriers can also confuse drivers and lead to a collision with another vehicle or maintenance worker.
- Stop and go traffic and poor visibility are a recipe for rear-end accidents, especially when drivers are also speeding or not paying attention. If construction makes it impossible to see traffic stopped ahead of you and other drivers are not adhering to the speed limit, accidents are bound to happen.
How Do You Establish Liability in a Construction Zone Accident?
If you were involved in a Las Vegas construction zone accident, there may be multiple vehicles and victims involved, and it may not always be clear who or what caused the accident. Because construction zone accidents are often chain-reaction collisions, trying to figure out which actions led to which outcomes (and which person, insurance carrier, construction company, or government entity should pay for your damages) can be overwhelming.
Because Nevada practices the legal principle of comparative negligence, more than one person or company may be found to be partially at fault. Potentially liable parties may include:
- Other motorists (including large trucks or motorcyclists) who acted carelessly or recklessly by speeding, driving distracted, driving under the influence, etc.
- Construction companies or workers who failed to erect adequate signage, left hazardous equipment or debris on the roadway, or incorrectly guided traffic
- State or local governments, contractors, or subcontractors responsible for ensuring the safety of the construction zone
Do I Really Need a Lawyer After a Las Vegas Car Accident?
While hiring an attorney may not be necessary in construction zone accident cases that result in little to no injury or property damage, many accident victims may benefit from having an experienced personal injury attorney review the details of their case.
You may be contacted by insurance companies in a matter of days or weeks after an accident. It is strongly recommended not to accept a settlement offer and to consult with a lawyer before proceeding. Quick settlement offers may seem convenient, but it may take weeks or even months to assess the true damages that stem from a construction zone accident. This is especially true if the severity of your injuries isn’t diagnosed right away.
This is why Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys offers free, no obligation case reviews. As one of the leading personal injury firms in the United States, our team of legal professionals will fight for your right to the maximum compensation after suffering a personal injury.
Ensuring that you receive a fair settlement is especially important after sustaining catastrophic injuries such as a TBI, spinal cord damage, or severe burn injuries. Your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life likely entitle you to a much bigger settlement than any insurance company will offer. And in cases of wrongful death, you may also be eligible for compensation for end of life care, funeral expenses, and loss of consortium.
Get Legal Help After a Construction Zone Accident
To connect with a Las Vegas construction zone accident lawyer, call us 24/7 at 702-877-1500. We also offer immediate virtual assistance through our LiveChat service, or you can request your free consultation online by filling out this simple form. The call is free, the consultation is free, and we don’t charge you a penny unless we win your case—that’s our no fee promise.