Tennessee has the sixth highest number of highway work zone accidents among all states in the United States. These result in a substantial number of potentially preventable injuries and deaths among construction workers that work on our highways. But why exactly do work zone accidents happen, and what can be done to prevent them?

What Are Highway Work Zone Accidents?

Highway work zone accidents are, as the name suggests, accidents that occur on construction sites located on highways and other major roads. If you have ever seen construction being done on or near the road, there is a decent chance you may have passed by one of these sites. Often they will have construction workers, as well as heavy equipment like cement mixers, excavators, and other similar vehicles, depending on the nature of the work they are engaged in.

Why Do Work Zone Accidents Happen?

While highway work zones are as vulnerable to many of the issues that all construction sites face, they also must deal with added risk due to being on or near major roadways. Reckless drivers may drive through these sites if they are not paying attention, or if they are impaired from consuming alcohol or other intoxicants. Additionally, a significant amount of road work tends to happen at night, when visibility is more restricted and people are more likely to be suffering from exhaustion.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Them?

There are a number of steps that construction contractors can take to limit the risk of work zone accidents. Posting visible signage and putting up barriers to warn of the presence of a work site can help, as can the use of strong lights to help with visibility at night or during inclement weather. Drivers can also help avoid accidents by avoiding distractions like cell phones, avoiding intoxicants, and yielding the right of way to construction workers and vehicles.

What Happens if You Get into an Accident?

If you or someone you love is a construction worker who is injured due to a work site accident, you may be entitled to compensation. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling work site accidents and other personal injury cases. They can help you review your potential legal options, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for the harm you have suffered.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.