Myrtle Beach is a go-to vacation spot. With this booming growth comes expansion and increased construction on our roadways that can lead to dangerous car accidents. If you have been injured in a car accident in a construction zone, you have a right to hold the responsible person or party legally and financially accountable.
Road Construction that May Lead to Work Zone Car Accidents in Myrtle Beach
U.S. 501 from S.C. 31 to U.S. 17 Bypass is the most traveled road in Horry County, with more than 60,000 vehicles per day. In 2021, there were multiple widening projects planned for U.S. 501. There are also continuous repair projects taking place on I-95 as well as many resurfacing projects on Highway 17 in North Myrtle Beach.
When you combine road construction with this increased congestion on our roadways, car accidents and injuries often follow.
Factors that Contribute to Work Zone Car Crashes
Between 2018 and 2019, fatal crashes in work zones increased by 11 percent while fatal crashes outside of work zones decreased by 2 percent. Car wrecks in construction zones can be caused by many different factors, but some of the most common causes of crashes include:
1. Dangerous Construction Zones
The companies and contractors that set up construction zones have a duty to ensure that these work zones meet safety regulations to prevent wrecks, but that doesn’t always happen. The below infractions often cause work zone wrecks in Myrtle Beach:
- Inadequate signage
- Improperly placed signage
- Dangerous road conditions (sharp curves, uneven pavement) without adequate signage
- Poor lighting
- Barricades, cones, and signage placed too close to moving lanes
In 2019, 24 percent of work zone crashes involved rear-end collisions. When drivers are talking and texting on cell phones, eating, or putting on make-up, they often don’t recognize the slowed traffic in work zones, causing them to rear-end another car. If you were hit by a distracted driver, there are ways that an experienced accident attorney can help prove the other person was texting and driving or otherwise distracted, so they are held accountable for causing the wreck.
3. Speeding
Speeding was a factor in 31% of work zone crashes in 2019. When drivers are recklessly exceeding the speed limit, they don’t have time to safely brake when coming up on slowed traffic in construction zones. These high-speed collisions can lead to serious injuries or even death, especially if the at-fault driver was operating a large commercial vehicle or an 18-wheeler.
When Construction Workers Are Injured or Killed in Myrtle Beach Road Construction Accidents
Too often the people injured in work zone accidents are members of the construction crews working to make our roadways better. They may be hit by inattentive or speeding drivers, or their injury may be the result of malfunctioning machinery, reckless coworkers, or a poorly established work zone. No matter the cause, the responsible person or parties must be held accountable for the harm caused.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Wreck in a Construction Zone
There may be multiple parties responsible for causing a work zone wreck, including:
1. Road Construction Companies and Contractors
If the work zone was not set up properly or if workers were dangerously operating construction equipment, the companies that are managing the roadwork may be held accountable for the harm you’ve experienced. This is true for both injured workers and injured drivers.
2. Other Drivers
If the work zone collision was caused by another driver’s reckless actions, such as speeding, texting and driving, or drunk driving, you can file a claim with his/her insurance company to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
3. Trucking Companies
Semi-trucks require more space to come to a complete stop, so these large commercial vehicles are often involved in construction zone accidents when traffic has suddenly slowed. If you were hit by an 18-wheeler, the trucking company can be held liable for the wreck. In Columbia truck accident cases, the injuries can be more severe and the insurance limits higher. Working with an experienced South Carolina auto accident attorney can ensure you are treated fairly by the insurance company and receive a full and fair recovery.
How an Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Road Construction Car Accident Along the Grand Strand
While not all car wrecks require an injury attorney, it is always a good idea to consult with an accident lawyer to ensure your rights are protected. This is especially true when it comes to car accidents in construction zones because there may be serious injuries and multiple parties involved. If you choose to work with a personal injury firm, your lawyer can:
1. Help identify the responsible civil defendants
It can be confusing to determine who should be held responsible for the harm you endured in the construction crash. Contractors, other drivers, and the government may all have played a part in the events that led to your injury. We can help identify who did what wrong so that they may be held legally and financially responsible and to help prevent it from happening again in the future.
2. Negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company
Attorneys deal with insurance adjusters every day and know how to make them understand how your life has been impacted by the collision.
3. Help you find quality medical care
Our injury attorneys often work with incredible doctors across the country, and we can help you find specialists to treat injuries caused by the collision, such as concussions, nerve damage, back pain, and more.
4. Allow you to focus on healing.
After a car crash, there is a lot to deal with on top of your normal day-to-day life. At our firm, we pride ourselves on taking everything off your plate, so you can focus on what matters most – healing. We’ll help schedule appointments, negotiate with the insurance adjusters, and take on all legal matters.
Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
Contact Our Myrtle Beach Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
At the Law Office of Kenneth Berger, our personal injury legal team has helped clients across South Carolina and the rest of the country after being involved in life-changing accidents. Start a live chat or call our office today at 843-427-2800 to learn how we can assist you.
