Pennsylvania has over a quarter million miles of public roads, streets and toll roads. At times, it seems that most of those miles are lined with orange cones. As we start the Spring season, road construction is starting to ramp up and will soon be in full bloom.
Dangers on the Road
Construction vehicles are substantially bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles. They require longer distances to stop, making rear end collisions more likely and potentially much more serious. When a construction vehicle collides with another vehicle, a tremendous amount of kinetic energy is released. Both vehicles are subject to the same force at impact, however, an automobile’s much smaller mass (3,750 pounds on average) leads to it experiencing higher acceleration. The sudden change in acceleration can result in very serious injuries or death.
Different types of construction vehicles present unique hazards. The loose materials carried by dump trucks can fall on other vehicles resulting in serious injuries. With their high center of gravity, concrete mixer trucks are prone to rollovers, even at speeds as low as 5 mph. Concrete pump trucks can exceed 50 feet in length and weigh in excess of 75,000 pounds. Accidents with these enormous vehicles often result in wide-spread destruction involving multiple vehicles and fatalities. Trucks hauling “superloads” such as steel bridge beams weighing over 200,000 pounds and as long as a football field have the potential for catastrophic accidents in the event that the load shifts.
Circumstances that can contribute to work zone accidents include:
- insufficient signage
- improper lighting
- routes that necessitate sudden or dangerous maneuvers
- uneven pavement
- confusing detours
- inattentive flag attendant
- debris left on the roadway
- workers or equipment too close to traffic
- equipment malfunctions (e.g., the boom on a concrete pump truck can collapse posing grave danger to anyone within a 200 foot radius.)
Liability for accidents caused by a construction vehicle
There are a number of potential defendants, including:
- driver of the vehicle
- owner of the vehicle
- truck driver’s employer
- company leasing the vehicle
- owner of the leasing company
- maintenance and repair service companies
- manufacturer of vehicle, trailer, or components
- governmental agencies responsible for road conditions
Helpful Driving tips:
- Stay alert, don’t drive distracted
- Follow road construction signage
- Merge when instructed – don’t try to “beat” everyone else in line
- DO NOT drive on the shoulder of the road to avoid any traffic backups
- Pay attention to flag attendants
- Slow down in work zones
Cases involving construction vehicles or construction zones can be quite complex, requiring the attention of an experienced personal injury attorney. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, call Comitz Law at 570-829-1111 or email info@comitzlaw.com.