Work Zone Accidents During Summer Months

Road construction is common during the summer months since the weather is more conducive to working outdoors. There are also more motorists on the roads from Memorial Day to Labor Day, as young drivers are out of school for the summer and it is peak time for people to take vacations and road trips. Unfortunately, additional roadwork, combined with a greater number of drivers on the roads, means that the likelihood of a work zone accident increases in the summertime. However, many of these accidents can be prevented if drivers and work zone crews know the potentially dangerous activities that can cause these accidents and the steps they can take to avoid them.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the majority of fatal work zone accidents involve a worker being struck by a vehicle. This is why speed limits are so strictly enforced when driving through a work zone.

Common Work Zone Hazards

• Backing hazards: It can be difficult to maneuver a large construction vehicle in the confined space of a work zone. When a worker operating a construction vehicle attempts to back up without taking the proper precautions, the vehicle can strike another worker that is hidden from the driver’s line of vision. All work zone employees should be vigilant about following the proper safety precautions, such as wearing bright clothing, being aware of surroundings, and communicating with other workers.

• Night work: Roadwork is often done at night in effort to minimize traffic and avoid the peak summer heat. While the lower visibility conditions do not seem to increase the number of wrecks, night work does require different precautions compared to working during the day. Workers who perform night work should make sure that they sleep enough during the day so that they do not come to work tired, distracted, and unfocused.

• Passing through and collisions: Collisions are the second-most-common cause for work zone fatalities. Usually these fatalities occur when a worker is passing through a work area.

Work Zone Safety Tips

• Do not speed
• Do not tailgate
• Avoid distractions
• Obey road crew signals
• Go with the flow of traffic
• Be patient if traffic is heavy
• Always wear a seatbelt

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Work Zone Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured in a work zone accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation. The Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are on your side to ensure that your rights are protected. We will help you navigate the legal process and address any of your questions or concerns along the way. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.