Safety Tips for Traveling in Houston Construction Zones & Who is Liable for Accident?

At Charles J. Argento, our Houston car accident attorney knows that construction on our Texas roadways is a common occurrence. Each year — and some for multiple years — Houston’s highways become home to massive construction projects to make travel safer, reduce flooding, and provide long-term capacity for both passenger and commercial vehicles.

Since there is little commuters, 18-wheelers, and other vehicles can do to avoid construction projects on our roadways, our Houston personal injury lawyers have tips for keeping drivers, vehicle occupants, and road workers safe.

Driving Tips to Increase Construction Zone Safety in Houston

Daily changes in traffic patterns in Houston and throughout Texas lead to narrowed rights-of-way, and other construction activities often create a combination of dangerous factors resulting in crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

Last year, the Federal Highway Administration reported 857 traffic fatalities occurred in construction zones. Sadly, 37% involved a speeding driver and could have been prevented. Another 27% involved commercial vehicles, and 20% involved rear-end collisions.

When it comes to traveling on our Houston highways and driving near construction zones, we need all drivers to do their part to help save lives.

Other important construction zone safety tips include:

  • Slow down! Slowing down allows you to react more quickly to other vehicles, pedestrians, workers, and other potential dangers on the road.
  • Move your vehicle into the far lane to help avoid the construction site and its workers.
  • Keep your distance from other drivers to avoid rear-end collisions that can turn a two-car collision into a catastrophic pile-up in areas where there are lane restrictions.
  • Staying focused on the road by avoiding the use of electronics — especially cellphones — while driving. Construction zone travel lanes change frequently and require all the driver’s attention.

Who is Liable for a Construction Site Accident in Texas?

Our Houston personal injury lawyer, Charles J. Argento, knows that if there is one thing that is true in Texas, it is that there is no lack of construction projects. Whether they are on our roadways, on our sidewalks, or growing the skylines in our cities, construction projects of all sizes come with inherent hazards to both their crews and the public.

If you have been injured on or near a construction site, it may be difficult to tell, let alone prove, who was liable for the dangerous conditions that caused your accident. Our Harris County construction accident attorney knows that is because there is a seemingly endless number of people, companies, and potential insurance companies to blame. We can help you determine the origin of your construction accident and injuries, so you can pursue the outcome you deserve.

Here is what you need to know.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Texas Construction Site Accidents?

The circumstances that lead to Texas construction accidents, injuries, or fatalities are unique to each client we represent. In some cases, there are multiple parties involved, and each of their insurance companies may share some of the liability for your damages.

The most common parties who may be liable for a construction accident in Houston may include, but are not limited to:

  • Negligent employers who do not inspect or maintain the equipment, who do not enforce the necessary safety standards required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or who fail to supervise the jobsite properly.
  • Negligent employees who do not follow safety standards, operate machinery recklessly, fail to ensure equipment, tools, or other hazards are contained, or are impaired at work.
  • Manufacturers that supply faulty or defective heavy equipment or safety gear.
  • Negligent drivers who load or deliver materials at the construction site.
  • Subcontractors or independent contractors who have one or more roles, intermittently at the construction site.

Construction site accident injuries in Texas are often catastrophic, leaving the injured person with extended medical treatment needs, and long-term absences from work. Even if you were not working on the construction site and were just a passerby who was harmed by negligence — like falling objects, falls in uncovered spaces, or other hazards — you too may have a claim against one or more parties who are liable for the safety at the site. We can help you pursue each potential party for the best outcome for your unique needs.

Contact Our Skilled Car Accident Lawyer in Houston, Texas for Help

If you were injured in a vehicle collision in or out of a construction zone because of another driver’s negligence in Texas, contact our experienced car accident attorney in Houston at Charles J. Argento today to schedule a free consultation by calling 713-225-5050 or by contacting us online.

Our law firm does not get paid until we obtain a settlement or verdict for you and will keep you updated during each stage of your case, so you know what to expect as the case moves forward.

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