Washington’s infrastructure expansion requires frequent road construction and maintenance of existing roadways to accommodate the state’s growth and increased traffic congestion. Unfortunately, workzones sometimes create hazardous conditions, as well as delays, detours, and increased driver frustration. If you were injured in an accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced Arlington truck accident lawyer. Workzone accidents in Washington caused 28 serious injury crashes and 10 fatal accidents in a single recent year. There were an astonishing 341 workzone crashes in Washington with minor injuries in 2023 alone.
What Causes Washington Workzone Accidents?
Workzones not only cause frustrating delays, but they also often place obstacles in the path of traffic, require dangerous merging, alter traffic flow, and leave hazardous debris. Common causes of workzone accidents in Washington include the following:
- Uneven lanes
- Dangerous obstacles
- Construction debris
- Distracted drivers
- Aggressive drivers
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Inadequate signage
- Failing to follow traffic signs or signals
- Improper lane changing
- Dangerous traffic merging points
- Collisions with construction vehicles
- Poorly designed roadways or poor construction planning
Workzone roadway changes, poor road conditions, and drivers who disregard traffic signs and instructions increase the likelihood of crashes during road work.
Who Is Liable for Damages In Washington Workzone Car Accidents?
Damages quickly add up after a car accident causes serious injuries. Under Washington’s fault-based accident laws, a car accident victim must file a claim against the party at fault for the accident. After a workzone crash, it often takes an experienced investigation into the accident to uncover the cause of the accident, the negligence that led to it, and the liable party. Liability could lie with one or more of the following:
- A careless, reckless, or aggressive driver
- A negligent road construction company
- A negligent road maintenance agency
- A road planning agency
- The manufacturer of defective equipment
- A negligent contractor, subcontractor, or supplier
Proving liability requires establishing negligence by compiling evidence that the at-fault party owed a duty of care to take all reasonable measures to prevent causing an accident, they breached this duty of care, the breach of duty caused injury, and the injury victim suffered damages from the injury.
What Damages Are Recoverable After a Workzone Accident In Washington?
Car accidents can cause serious or catastrophic injuries. In some cases, they end in fatalities. Depending on the severity of the accident and injuries, a successful claim against the party at fault for a workzone accident can recover damages such as the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Future injury-related medical costs
- Lost earnings
- Future income loss or diminished earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Additional compensation for catastrophic injuries such as loss of limb, disfigurement, scarring, loss of vision, hearing loss, loss of enjoyment of life, PTSD, or diminished quality of life
If a workzone accident in Washington causes a fatality, a close surviving family member may be able to recover wrongful death compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance. Make sure to speak with a car accident attorney in Arlington if you need legal guidance.
How Can a Washington Workzone Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
It takes experienced representation to recover the compensation you deserve after a workzone accident, particularly when the liable party is a city, county, or state government agency, requiring unique timelines and additional considerations. Contact Wells Trumbull for experienced representation in your Washington workzone car accident case.