According to a report from the Salina Post, a woman and child were killed in a tragic construction zone accident. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) confirmed that a 43-year-old driver and a child passenger were pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck. The fatal crash is still under a more comprehensive investigation. Here, our Kansas City auto accident lawyer highlights the risks posed by highway construction zones.
Highway Construction Zones are High-Risk Areas for Motor Vehicle Collisions
Did you know that highway work zones are high-risk areas for serious motor vehicle crashes? According to data from the National Safety Council (NSC), there were approximately 42,000 people injured and 950 people killed in construction zone collisions in 2021 alone. These crashes put both vehicle occupants and road workers at risk. Alarmingly, the NSC cites data showing that work zone fatalities are up more than 60% since 2010. A commonality shared by these wrecks is that the vast majority of them could have been prevented with proper safety precautions.
Why So Many Car Accidents Happen in Highway Work Zones
All drivers in Kansas should take additional safety precautions when entering and exiting highway construction zones. Road maintenance operations can pose some inherent hazards. Here are some of the most common reasons why work zone crashes happen in the Kansas City area:
- Confusing Signs: Work zones often have temporary signs, detours, and lane changes. Drivers might get confused by these new instructions, especially if they are not well-marked.
- Unexpected Conditions: Work zones can have different road surfaces, like uneven lanes or temporary roads made of gravel. These changes can catch drivers off guard.
- Variation in Speed: In work zones, speed limits usually drop suddenly. Some drivers might not slow down in time, while others slow down too much.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers in Kansas should always put their full focus and attention on the road. Doing so is especially crucial in highway construction zones.
- Tight Spaces: Work zones often have narrow lanes and less space between vehicles. This tight space leaves little room for error.
- Construction Equipment and Workers: Heavy machinery and workers near the road can be distracting. Accidents can happen if road crews fail to take due care.
Every crash in a highway work zone requires a comprehensive, detail-focused investigation. You need to know exactly what went wrong to cause the accident. Negligent parties—including negligent construction companies and negligent road crews—must be held accountable.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Kansas City Construction Zone Accident Lawyer
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City motor vehicle accident lawyer has the skills and experience to handle the full range of construction zone crashes, Get in touch with us by phone or connect with us online for a no-cost, no-obligation case review. From our Kansas City law office, we are well-positioned to handle motor vehicle accident claims throughout the wider region of Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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