As the construction work continues to increase in Atlanta, road workers are becoming more vulnerable to passing motorists, including cars, trucks, and 18 wheelers. Highway workers try to do their best to help complete road construction on time so that the highway can be opened to vehicle traffic as soon as possible.
However, the job sites are still dangerous for both highway workers and motorists driving on highways that are under construction. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction zone accident in Atlanta, you should seek help from our construction injury attorneys. The injury and accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm provide aggressive legal representation to injury victims to help them recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.
We work with a network of investigators, medical experts, and other professionals who help us build strong cases against negligent parties and insurance companies. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — you only pay attorney fees if we win your case. Call us at (833) 254-2923 or simply fill out this online contact form on our website to schedule a free consultation.
Ways to Avoid Accidents in Road Work Construction Zones
Road work construction zones are becoming more and more common as the infrastructure of Atlanta continues to expand and evolve. Unfortunately, drivers often do not pay enough attention while driving through a construction zone, which can cause an accident. Many of these accidents can be avoided if drivers simply follow a few simple safety tips while driving through a construction zone.
Pay Attention to Signs
Signs in construction zones alert drivers to changes in traffic patterns, speed limits, and other factors that affect driving conditions. Drivers should plan on arriving at their destination a few minutes later to slow down when necessary. Pay attention to flaggers and pavement markings and always obey them. They are designed to alert you of any changes in the roadway.
Slow Down
First, speeding is one of the biggest causes of accidents in road work construction zones. If you speed, you will likely miss seeing the warning signs that indicate you are approaching an area where road work is being done. You may also miss slower cars that have slowed down for pressure washing or road repairs and rear-ending them or sideswiping them. Speeding can also make it difficult to stop quickly if debris in your lane needs to be avoided or if workers are in your lane guiding traffic around a worksite.
Reducing speed is one of the best ways to avoid an accident or injury in a construction zone. It is essential to follow posted speed limits in work zones because fines are usually doubled. Speeding is dangerous because it takes longer for you to stop if something unexpected happens up ahead.
Driving slowly also gives you more time to react to changing conditions and can help prevent you from hitting the vehicle in front of you if it suddenly stops or slows down. Another reason it is vital to slow down is that workers are present near the road, so drivers need to be more careful that they do not hit anyone with their vehicles.
Obey Traffic Laws
When driving through a construction zone, you’ll want to obey the posted speed limit. If you do not, you run the risk of receiving a traffic ticket. Speed limits are in place to protect workers who may be working in close proximity to moving vehicles. Correlating with this, when driving in areas with multiple lanes, it is crucial to stay within your lane and not switch back and forth. Driving over lane markers can cause damage to your vehicle and possible injury to others.
If no workers are present in the construction zone, it may be tempting to speed up to make up for lost time from having slowed down. However, there may still be construction equipment on the road ahead that could cause damage to your vehicle if struck at higher speeds. Additionally, if workers are present but not actively working on the road, it is still important to slow down as they may have tools spread out on or near the roadways that could be damaged by fast-moving vehicles.
Follow the Crew
Construction workers are often working in an area very close to traffic and may not be able to hear you coming. If a worker is directing traffic, follow their instructions carefully and be courteous and patient with them and other drivers around you traveling through the construction zone. Remember that they are there to keep everyone safe.
Reduce Distractions
Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go when traveling through a work zone, especially during peak traffic hours such as rush hour or lunchtime. Stay alert and reduce distractions such as eating or using your phone. Try listening to music instead of watching TV shows or movies to help stay focused on driving safely through the work zone. Keep your windshield clean to see clearly and safely navigate through the construction zone.
Keep Safe Distance between Vehicles
Don’t tailgate the vehicle ahead of you just because it is going slower than the speed limit shows! This is especially important around large trucks because you will most likely hit them from behind or lose control of your vehicle if they brake suddenly. It’s also a prudent idea to keep a more significant distance between vehicles when driving in inclement weather conditions like snow or heavy rain; this will give you more time to make necessary reactions if something does happen in front of you.
Consult with Experienced Construction Injury Attorneys at CEO Lawyer
Construction zone accidents are a genuine concern for those who drive through these areas in Atlanta. Due to the large number of individuals engaged in construction work at any given moment, it can be difficult to avoid one unless you are careful. Should you find yourself in an accident in a construction zone, don’t hesitate to consult with our skilled Atlanta car accident lawyers at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, who will help you get back on your feet.
Our attorneys have fought every case to the highest appeal to get our clients the maximum compensation possible. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and ensure that you are protected. To learn more about your legal options, contact a focused and proven construction accident lawyer at The CEO Lawyer by calling (833) 254-2923 or reach us online.
