Despite significant efforts made by the highway industry and various government agencies, the number of work zone accidents increases each year. In fact, Texas consistently ranks as one of the top states for the highest number of annual construction zone fatalities.
People commonly injured in work zone accidents include:
- Car and truck drivers
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Construction workers
By its nature, a construction zone area is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for companies to cut safety corners in the name of production, consequently exacerbating preexisting safety issues. This is particularly dangerous since most construction work is completed at night and in poor weather.
However, the negligence of the workers or the construction company may not be entirely responsible for a passerby’s injuries. You may be able to evade a work zone injury by avoiding these 3 behaviors that often contribute to accidents.
Behavior #1: Being Distracted & Ignoring the Warning Signs
Accidents can easily occur when motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are distracted. In fact, distracted driving alone is a leading cause of car collisions nationwide. Oftentimes, construction zone accidents occur because people aren’t paying attention to warning signs or are distracted by internal and external factors.
Distracted behaviors can lead to injuries caused by:
- Last-minute lane changes
- Speed adjustments
- Slip and falls
- Bicycle crashes
Behavior #2: Experiencing Driver Anxiety
Humans are creatures of habit who rarely appreciate change. The bustle of a construction zone may inspire stress and anxiety that leads to poor reactions and road rage. Even if you’re inconvenienced by traffic or the work zone itself, it’s important to keep a rational head if you want to avoid an accident injury.
Behavior #3: Rubbernecking
As much as people hate change, they are also fascinated by it. When workers complete their job duties, an audience naturally develops as people slow down or stop to watch the action. This can lead to accidents when other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians aren’t paying attention or are unprepared for the sudden decrease in speed.
Schedule a Consultation
At The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, we represent clients who have been injured in work zone accidents. If you require legal guidance or representation, contact our Austin work zone accident attorneys to schedule a consultation. If you’re an injured construction worker, we can also assist you with the workers’ compensation process.
Call The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC at (512) 326-3200 to schedule a consultation.
