BEST San Diego Construction Zone Accident Lawyer

Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident, especially in a construction zone? Were you hurt seriously, perhaps sustaining a spinal injury or facing partial paralysis? Are you feeling uncertain about how to move forward with your life? If these concerns resonate with you, it’s important to consult a dedicated San Diego car accident lawyer who understands the complexities of construction zone crashes and can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. You need a law firm that approaches your case with the professionalism and care it requires.

The Levinson Law Group is a trusted San Diego car accident law firm specializing in construction zone accident cases. Unlike many other firms, we focus exclusively on car accident claims, providing us with deep expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the legal issues involved, including worker’s compensation, OSHA regulations, insurance negotiations, and personal injury lawsuits. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless we win your case. In most situations, we also cover upfront costs. To explore your legal options and get the support you need, contact The Levinson Law Group today.

California Construction Zone Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), work zone fatalities occur roughly once every 4 billion vehicle miles traveled, corresponding to about $112 million in road construction expenses. Between 2018 and 2019, fatal accidents within construction zones rose by 11 percent, while fatal crashes outside these zones declined by 2 percent. In 2019, nearly one-quarter of fatal work zone accidents were caused by rear-end collisions.

Construction zone accidents are common in California, including the San Diego region. These accidents often result from disruptions to traffic flow and reduced speed limits in construction areas. Drivers who are unaware or fail to adjust their driving face increased risks, as do aggressive drivers. Those who are distracted, speeding, or impaired by drugs or alcohol have a significantly higher likelihood of being involved in crashes within construction zones.

Causes of Construction Zone Car Accident in San Diego, California

The primary causes of car accidents in construction zones include:

• Changing Speed Limits. Drivers often need to slow down quickly to comply with reduced speed limits in construction zones. If a driver is not paying close attention and suddenly realizes they are entering a work zone, they may rear-end the vehicle in front of them, potentially triggering a series of rear-end collisions.
• Distracted Driving. Construction zones frequently require abrupt lane changes and merges. Distracted drivers who fail to notice lane merges or the presence of construction activities may drift into work zones or adjacent lanes, increasing the risk of crashes.
• Inadequate or Unclear Signage. One of the leading causes of accidents in construction zones is poor or missing warning signs. Clear, visible signage is essential to alert drivers about upcoming construction and the need to reduce speed. Without proper signage, drivers may continue at regular highway speeds and be forced to brake suddenly, causing collisions.
• Road Debris. Construction equipment or debris left on or near the roadway creates hazardous conditions and can lead to accidents.
• Insufficient Worker Training. Accidents can also occur when construction companies employ workers who are not properly trained to operate safely within highway construction zones.
• Poor Visibility. Reduced visibility, especially during nighttime, increases accident risk. Workers must wear bright, reflective clothing, and proper lighting and road markers such as cones and signs are necessary to ensure safety in low-light conditions.

The Move Over Law

Every state in the U.S. has a “move over law,” requiring drivers to either slow down or change lanes when emergency personnel or construction workers are present on the roadside. Despite this law, many drivers cited for violations claim they are unaware of it.

In California, the original “move over law” was enacted in 2007, initially focusing on emergency vehicles and tow trucks displaying flashing amber lights. In 2010, the law was expanded to include Caltrans workers operating in construction zones. Today, the law applies to any vehicle stopped on the roadside with flashing lights.

Unfortunately, even with these protections, more than 1,000 Caltrans vehicles are struck annually.

California Car Accident Liability

Car accidents in construction zones differ significantly from typical collisions between passenger vehicles on highways or roads. These accidents often involve complex liability issues, potentially including municipalities, contractors, and other parties responsible for the construction site. The more parties involved, the greater the available insurance coverage, which is crucial for compensating damages.

California follows a fault and comparative fault system, meaning at least one party must be found liable for causing an accident. Under the comparative fault doctrine, multiple parties can share responsibility, with each party’s degree of fault determined by their level of negligence in causing the crash.

Negligence by a driver may involve failing to slow down upon entering the construction zone, ignoring lane merge signs, or not stopping appropriately during traffic slowdowns or jams. Other negligent behaviors include speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or reckless driving.

On the other hand, negligence by construction workers or companies can include improperly placed or missing barriers and cones, inadequate or unclear signage, and failure to wear high-visibility reflective clothing or use strong lighting to make the work zone and workers easily visible.

How to Avoid a Construction Zone Car Crash

Here are some practical steps to help prevent accidents in construction zones:

• Slow Down Early. Once you see the first sign indicating construction ahead, begin reducing your speed and watch for additional signs, lane merges, and road changes. Pay close attention to the behavior of vehicles ahead and slow accordingly.
• Do Not Pass Vehicles. If a vehicle in front of you is stopping or yielding for construction activity, slow down and stop as well. Avoid attempting to pass or cut off other vehicles, especially on two-way roads, as this can lead to head-on collisions. Failing to slow down can also cause rear-end crashes.
• Use Your Vehicle’s Taillights to Communicate. Signal upcoming merges or stops to drivers behind you. If your taillights aren’t working, use hand signals: extend your left arm straight out to indicate a left turn or merge, bend your left arm down at the elbow to signal stopping, and bend your left arm up at the elbow to indicate a right turn or merge.

Contact the California Construction Zone Accident Attorneys Near You at the Levinson Group

At The Levinson Law Group, our experienced team of construction zone car accident lawyers is here to support you. If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision, contact us at The Levinson Law Group attorneys as soon as possible. We are available to answer any questions you may have about the recovery process. If you’re uncertain about pursuing a claim against the responsible party, we won’t pressure you—we want to ensure you have all the information needed to make the best decision for you and your family.

When you choose The Levinson Law Group, you can trust that you will have dedicated representation every step of the way. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. In many instances, we also cover case-related expenses upfront. To learn more about your options, call The Levinson Law Group at 760-827-1700.