Huntsville Injury Lawyers Handling Road Work-Zone Accidents

Fighting for workers and travelers injured in work zones throughout the Tennessee Valley

There’s a lot of construction that takes place throughout Alabama. Some of it is to repair existing roads and highways. Some construction is to pave new roads and streets. Construction and public works crews are often needed to fix potholes and cut trees from overhanging branches. The safety of the workers, and of the people who travel these roads, should always come first. When it does not, we are here to help.

At Martin & Helms, our Huntsville work zone injury lawyers have been helping accident victims get the recoveries they deserve for more than 20 years. We work with investigators and engineers, when necessary, to help show that an individual, company, or governmental agency is responsible for your injuries or the death of a loved one. We are highly respected for our track record of success in negotiating strong settlements and in obtaining significant trial verdicts.

Why road work zone accidents occur

Construction companies, utility companies, tree removal companies, departments of public works, and anyone who does work that requires traffic to be controlled need to follow standard procedures for operating in a work zone. If drivers can’t see where they’re going, are unaware of dangers, or are unaware what roads to take, they can easily get into an accident. Accidents can also occur if the tree branches or other objects fall on a car, if construction vehicles crash into a vehicle, or if drivers can’t see where the surface of the roadway changes.

These accidents and incidents can happen while the work is being done, or after work has finished for the day. Work zones are unsafe if:

  • They lack clear signage saying it’s a work zone
  • They force drivers to move into other lanes of traffic or off the highway without sufficient time and ability to make safe maneuvers
  • Construction vehicles or construction workers enter the areas where the drivers are directed to travel
  • They use equipment that poses a risk to the drivers
  • The site fails to consider the weather – such as rain, ice, snow, and glare from the sun
  • They fail to follow the federal rules and regulations issued by the Federal Highway Administration
  • They fail to follow Alabama’s Department of Transportation rules and regulations
  • They don’t use flashers, cones, and other safety devices
  • They don’t post new and slower speed limits around the construction site

Who is liable for work zone accidents in Huntsville?

In many cases, finding companies responsible depends on the details: the number of lanes of traffic, the scope of the construction project, and other factors. One of the reasons injured drivers and passengers need experienced work zone accident lawyers is that there may be multiple defendants:

  • An individual road crew worker and his or her employer
  • The company which bid the job
  • The Alabama Department of Transportation (or another agency)
  • A driver who disobeys the rules while traveling through the work zone
  • The manufacturer of any defective equipment

Drivers need to be extra careful around construction sites. The defendants will work to show that any drivers who file claims were partially at fault. Insurance companies may deny your claim if they believe you broke the law, or were in some way responsible for your own injuries. If you were speeding, driving too fast for the conditions, failed to merge properly, or were negligent in any way, your claim can be denied.

Rights of work crew members injured in Huntsville work zones

If you are an employee of a construction company, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation for any injuries you sustain. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, but you must be eligible to apply for its benefits. If you are a non-employee, or if your injuries are so severe that workers’ compensation will not be enough to protect you and your family’s future, you may be eligible to file a third-party injury lawsuit against the liable parties.

Types of construction site injuries drivers and passengers may suffer

Just as with other vehicle accidents, drivers and passengers who collide with another vehicle or just veer off the road can suffer any type of injury including:

  • Death
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Fractured bones
  • Internal damage to organs, internal bleeding, and other internal injuries
  • Muscle damage and soft-tissue injury
  • Amputations
  • Nerve damage
  • Any other type of crushing or forceful injury

Understand your legal rights by speaking with respected Huntsville lawyers

Experience matters. At Martin & Helms, we’ve been fighting for injury victims and the families of deceased victims for more than 20 years. Our work zones accident lawyers try cases throughout Alabama. From our offices in Huntsville and Decatur, we serve clients in Madison, Athens, and throughout the region. To schedule an appointment, call us at 256-539-1990 or fill out our contact form. We take cases on a contingency fee basis.