Greece
Spanish
The vast majority of car crashes are the result of operator errors. Drivers failed to pay attention or drive too fast for weather conditions. The mistakes that they make in traffic may then cause preventable collisions.
In rare scenarios, outside parties may actually be at fault for motor vehicle collisions. Third-party lawsuits against vehicle manufacturers or employers are somewhat common. Occasionally, drivers involved in major collisions may be able to claim that a road construction crew caused preventable collisions.
What types of situations might warrant third-party lawsuits against road construction companies?
Negligent work practices increase risk
Drivers often fail to recognize how dangerous construction zones actually are. Hundreds of vehicle occupants every year die in crashes that occur in road work zones. In some cases, those collisions might be the result of negligence on the part of roadwork professionals rather than mistakes made by other drivers.
Road construction crews have an obligation to make the work zone reasonably safe for the public. They must manage the flow of traffic carefully to limit the risk of wrecks. They must ensure the work locations are easily identified, control traffic as it approaches the road work zone and clean up debris so that it doesn’t damage vehicles or prompt drivers to swerve.
Negligence on the part of roadwork crews can make them liable for crashes nearby. For example, the failure to properly mark upcoming lane sifts for approaching vehicles can lead to traffic congestion and dangerous, last-minute maneuvers from those approaching the work site.
A lack of flaggers might lead to head-on collisions when road work constricts traffic to a single lane. Failing to clean up debris before it interferes with vehicles or address nighttime hazards, such as equipment left too close to active lanes of traffic or uncovered trenches, can also make road crews liable for collisions.
When road construction crews fail to follow best practices, drivers who end up in collisions caused by debris or other ignored risks may have grounds for a third-party lawsuit. Reviewing what caused a motor vehicle collision with a skilled legal team can help injured parties understand their options. If road construction crews are negligent, it may be possible to hold them accountable for property damage and injury-related expenses.