How to Handle Muncie Construction Zones and Car Accidents

Construction zones are always going to be present in Muncie, Delaware County, the state of Indiana, and the United States in general. Several situations like lanes being closed off, traffic bottlenecked with merging traffic, vehicles not stopping quickly enough, or distracted drivers are common scenarios that can lead to crashes in work zones. In addition to all of those cases, others like confusing detours and construction signs, obstacles that can block parts of the roadway, construction vehicles that create blind spots, and speeding drivers are all other risks and dangers of driving in construction zones.

Being injured in a Muncie construction zone is unfortunate, and you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and a list of other damages. In addition to typical procedure after a Muncie car accident, there are other unique things to keep in mind if you’re ever in a Muncie construction zone car accident.

What to Do after a Muncie Car Accident

There is the traditional procedure to follow like if you were in any other Muncie car accident:

• Call 911
• Take pictures of the scene of the accident
• Make sure a police report is filed
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver
• Make sure everyone in your vehicle and the other car is all right
• Pull safely off the road to not block traffic, if possible

In addition to these steps, there are other things to consider too:

• State Only Facts: Talking to other drivers or the construction crew is helpful to establish what everyone else saw; however, do not admit fault to anything or apologize. Apologizing can make you seem like you are guilty and could hurt your case at a later time.
• Consult with an Attorney: Before reaching out to the other driver’s insurance company, consult an experienced Muncie car accident attorney first. The insurance company could easily take advantage of you and your situation by using confusing terms and intimidating you. Having all communication going through an attorney’s firm like Hensley Legal Group can help you feel more confident that you’ll get the type of settlement you truly deserve.

The Liability Concerns in a Muncie Construction Zone Accident

In certain scenarios, the construction company or government might be found liable for an accident that happens in a work zone under certain conditions:

• Lack of Adequate Signs: As a driver, you may have noticed how some construction zones will give fair warning like, “Construction zone, 9 miles ahead,” or something to that nature while others have nothing identifying that you are driving in a construction zone. If there aren’t adequate signs to prepare drivers to enter the construction zone, then you may not be at fault for your accident.
• Equipment Left in the Roadway: Construction equipment is often left out for the next shift and that can create unwanted and hard-to-see obstacles in traffic patterns.
• Failure to Adjust Traffic Patterns Reasonably: If a lane ends without enough space to merge into the other lane, that creates an unnecessary traffic hazard.
• Failure to Identify Dangerous Areas: A good example of warning signs posted for a dangerous area was along I-69 where signage was posted about rough roads ahead and to be careful of potholes. If dangerous areas aren’t marked off, they may result in a car accident.
• Failure to Properly Mark Temporary Lanes: If new lines aren’t laid down to create new traffic patterns, then cars will naturally try to stay in the original lanes, which may result in an accident.

Construction zones are notorious for detours and sudden merging; therefore, chain-reaction car accidents can occur. Chain-reaction accidents involve multiple drivers and each driver has a varying degree of fault, which can be difficult to prove. A Muncie car accident attorney can help you determine who’s at fault if you’re involved in a chain-reaction car accident.

Hire a Muncie Car Accident Attorney

Driving in construction zones will always be something drivers have to endure. As more construction zones appear, it is always important to remember to maintain a safe distance, not be in a rush, and respect the workers and drivers on the road. However, if you find yourself in the Muncie car accident that has occurred in a construction zone, contact an experienced attorney like those at Hensley Legal Group for a free consultation. Don’t hesitate; contact us online today.