After getting in a car accident in a construction zone, it’s important to understand your legal rights and how you can seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Depending on how the car accident occurred, several parties could be liable, and identifying them is the first step in making a financial recovery.
Common Causes of Construction Zone Crashes
Driving through a construction zone presents more risks than usual. Some of the risks you may come across in a construction zone are:
- Sudden lane changes and closures
- Inadequate signage marking the construction
- Debris and equipment in the roadway
- Construction workers and vehicles entering the roadway
- Reduced visibility due to barriers or bright lights
- Traffic that suddenly slows or stops
- Uneven lanes
Identifying the cause of the crash that injured you is an essential part of seeking compensation. Once the cause of the crash is known, it’s easier to identify the liable parties.
Liability in PA Construction Zone Car Accidents
Several parties could be liable for your injuries after a construction zone collision. These parties may include other drivers, construction companies, government agencies, and construction equipment manufacturers.
Pennsylvania also follows a modified comparative negligence rule that may impact the compensation you can receive after a crash. Under this rule, you cannot recover compensation if you are more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. And even if you are less than 50 percent at fault, your compensation could be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault and the jury awarded $50,000, you would only recover $40,000.
This rule is essential to keep in mind in construction zone accidents because you may be found to be partly at fault if you were speeding. Construction zones in Pennsylvania have lower speed limits to protect workers from harm.
Seeking Compensation After a Construction Zone Collision
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault auto insurance state, which means that you can file a no-fault or fault-based insurance claim after a car accident, depending on the type of insurance you have. And if another party, such as a construction company, contributed to the accident, you may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
When you speak with our lawyers during your initial consultation, we’ll go over the various options available to you and help you determine the best way to seek the compensation you need.
Steps To Take After a Construction Zone Accident
Taking the following steps after a construction zone accident can maximize your potential compensation:
- Follow up with all medical treatment until you fully recover.
- Keep track of all medical and vehicle repair bills.
- Avoid admitting fault for the accident or speaking to insurance adjusters.
- Write down everything you remember about the accident.
- Consult an experienced car accident lawyer.
How a Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Our lawyers will investigate the incident to understand how the crash occurred. We’ll also identify the at-fault parties and gather supporting evidence for your auto insurance claim. And we’ll help you determine a fair value for your injuries and property damage.
Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful, so our lawyers will handle that for you, as well. That includes negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement that covers your losses and taking your case to trial if a settlement can’t be reached.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you were injured in a construction zone car accident in western PA, contact Ainsman Levine, LLC, for a free consultation. We’ll explain your rights and options for seeking the compensation you need.
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