As America continues its massive effort to repair and update its infrastructure, the surge in construction projects brings a disturbing increase in road construction accidents. Along the roads and highways of New Jersey, these accidents are not only frequent but too often tragic. At Nagel Rice LLP, we have a longstanding commitment to protecting the rights of victims of road construction accidents. Our experienced legal team has an impressive track record of successful outcomes, having secured over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
If you have been seriously injured in a road construction accident due to someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, you are likely overwhelmed by changes in your life you didn’t deserve and can’t control. If you don’t know where to turn, now is the time to contact the skilled, compassionate attorneys at Nagel Rice. We will fight tirelessly to bring you fair compensation for all you have endured and to provide you and your family with a secure future.
Causes of Road Construction Accidents
Road construction accidents result from a variety of factors, each potentially deadly. These include:
Poorly Marked Construction Zones
Missing or unclear signs or signals moved or crushed construction cones, or failure to cordon off appropriate areas can confuse drivers, resulting in accidents.
Negligence in Safety Measures
Failure of construction companies to properly train their workers or to provide them with appropriate protective gear makes construction sites more hazardous for everyone. Construction workers who do not adhere to safety regulations or protocols increase the danger.
Equipment Malfunction
Faulty construction equipment can cause unexpected incidents involving spillage, fire, explosion, or obstruction of roadways, harming workers, drivers, and pedestrians alike.
Negligent or Reckless Driving
Speeding (including failing to slow at a construction site), distracted or impaired driving, and not observing construction signs and signals can lead to crashes that injure other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and construction workers.
Types of Road Construction Accidents
Road construction zones can be the site of several types of accidents:
- Vehicle collisions, including rear-endings, side-swipes, and head-on collisions at or near construction zones.
- Worker accidents, in which construction workers are struck by vehicles or construction equipment.
- Equipment accidents that involve construction machinery crashes (e.g., cranes, excavators, or dump trucks).
- Slips and falls by workers or passersby due to uneven surfaces, temporary structures that collapse, or debris or spillage on the road surface or sidewalk.
- Obstruction accidents are when passing cars crash into barriers, cones, signs, construction materials, or tools, or, worse of all, into workers themselves.
Common Injuries Due to Road Construction Accidents
The injuries from road construction accidents can be severe, life-altering, and even fatal, since any of the following can result in a wrongful death:
- Fractures
- Neuromuscular damage
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Burns from explosions or electrical accidents
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage or loss
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Anxiety, PTSD
Who Is to Blame for Road Construction Accidents?
Determining liability in road construction accidents is often complicated. That’s why it’s critical to have a knowledgeable construction accident attorney at your side. At Nagel Rice, our lawyers are well-equipped to determine which of the following parties are legally responsible for the harm that came to you:
- Construction Company
- Equipment manufacturer
- Government agency (if road design or maintenance contributed to the accident)
- One or more drivers
- Construction worker
In some cases, more than one party is to blame for your injury, in which case our attorneys will probably sue both for damages.
What If More Than One Party Is at Fault for the Accident?
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If multiple parties are deemed to be at fault by the court, each party is liable for their percentage of fault. However, under this principle, if the injured party is found to be 50 percent or more at fault, they cannot recover any damages. At Nagel Rice, we meticulously investigate to maximize damages for our clients.
What Nagel Rice Will Do To Fight for You
Our attorneys are well-versed in the complexities of construction accident claims. We will:
- Investigate the accident site — collect evidence, interview witnesses, and check the past history of defendants.
- Consult with experts — medical specialists, accident reconstructionists, and others who can testify on your behalf.
- Handle all legal challenges, documents, and deadlines — to navigate the maze of legal requirements.
- Negotiate forcefully with opposing attorneys and insurance adjusters — to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.
- Provide powerful legal representation in court if necessary.
Damages We Will Fight To Recover
Our goal, like yours, is to recover full compensation for your losses, including:
- Medical, rehabilitation, and nursing costs
- Lost income, present and future
- Property damage or loss
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Final medical costs, funeral costs, loss of financial and emotional support (in cases of wrongful death)
If the court finds that a defendant has engaged in particularly egregious behavior, you may also be awarded punitive damages.
Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Road Construction Accident Attorneys Today
\Working with the right legal team can make all the difference when it comes to obtaining justice in the complex world of accident litigation. Choosing Nagel Rice is a wise move. Check out our strong credentials, our outstanding reputation, and the verdicts and settlements of our long history, and give us a call. The sooner you contact our capable, caring attorneys, the sooner you can relax with the peace of mind that comes from letting true professionals handle your case.
Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients throughout New Jersey, including Roseland, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York throughout Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.