If you regularly drive in or around San Diego, you are no stranger to road construction. After all, it seems workers are constantly building new roadways and upgrading existing ones. While road construction may seem routine, it can be extraordinarily dangerous to you and your passengers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30,000 individuals died in construction zone accidents between 1982 and 2019. This means there were an average of approximately 800 deaths per year or two per day in construction zones. Why are these places so hazardous for drivers?
Speed changes
It is not uncommon for construction zones to have reduced speed limits. Because drivers can be impatient, it is also not uncommon to encounter speeders in construction zones. Still, reduced speed limits are there for a reason. If motorists drive too fast for road conditions, a catastrophic accident may be imminent.
Surface issues
When you drive through construction zones, uneven lanes are more than a minor annoyance. A car’s tires may perform unpredictably on bumpy or rough surfaces. If drivers are not careful, they may lose control of their vehicle and crash into yours.
Traffic patterns
Traffic patterns frequently change in construction zones, as workers must reroute vehicles to different parts of the road. Therefore, it is vital for motorists to pay close attention to road signs, flaggers and construction workers so they know where they should be driving.
If you have a serious accident in a construction zone, your life may never be the same again. Ultimately, filing a legal claim may give you the financial resources you need to cope with your post-accident way of life.