Car Accidents in Construction Work Zones

The Chicagoland area is subjected to continual road construction, it seems. Although construction work crews are vulnerable to sustaining injuries from motorists within work zone areas, drivers and vehicle occupants are also at risk when traveling through these areas. This is true despite many precautions taken by work crews, such as setting up cones, warning lights, reduced speed limit signs, and construction horses to promote safety for everyone within these zones.

Drivers cause many highway zone work crashes

All drivers passing through highway works zones are responsible for using common sense and caution. Traveling through these construction zones can be frustrating for drivers at times due to the delays involved. Any failure of drivers to pay attention to driving restrictions within these zones and comply with those restrictions can lead to accidents.

Some of the most common reasons for construction zone car accidents include:

• Driving at an unsafe speed
• Executing an improper lane change
• Following too close behind the vehicle in front
• Performing an unsafe lane movement
• Driver distraction or inattention
• Failure to yield right-of-way
• Running off the roadway
• Running over an object within the work zone

Types of work zone collisions

The causes of work zone crashes mentioned above often lead to the following types of collisions:

• Rear end crashes: These collisions occur when the vehicle impacts the vehicle in front and is one the most common types of crashes within a work zone.
• Head-on crashes: These collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions impact each other head-to-head.
• Sideswipes in the same direction: These accidents occur when two vehicles are traveling side-by-side in the same direction and make contact.
• Roadway departure accidents: These crashes occur when the vehicle moves outside of the required lane, crossing over a centerline or edge line and impacting another vehicle or object.

Current project work zones in the Chicagoland area

Work zones are continually present in every major city in the United States. This is no less true than in and around the giant metropolis of the city of Chicago and its outlying areas. Currently there are dozens of works zones in the greater Chicagoland area. Some of these projects extend for several months or more than a year. Here are just a few examples:

• Lane reduction/lane closure – Clark Street to Dearborn Street and Jackson Blvd (EB) in Cook County near Chicago – Duration: July 3, 2019 to Dec. 30, 2019.
• Lane reduction/lane closure – Ramp to INT 90/ INT 94 WB I290 (EB) in Cook County near Chicago – Duration: November 13, 2018 to December 31, 2019
• Lane reduction/lane closure – IL 43 to Skokie S068 (EW) in Cook County near Northbrook – Duration: February 14, 2019 to October 31, 2019

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago car accident attorneys are experienced at handling all types of car collision cases, including rear end, multi car, head-on, and others. If you have suffered injuries in a car crash from the negligence of another party while traveling through a work zone, we can help. To arrange a free case review, give us a call today at 312-600-9585 or complete our contact form.