Wherever there is road construction, drivers are at increased risk of being involved in an accident. Accidents commonly occur near construction zones for a multitude of reasons, including improper signage, confusing lane changes, or leftover construction debris.
Interstate 264 in the Tidewater area has been under construction since November 2016. Accidents are common in the construction zone. Below, we’ll discuss what makes this stretch of highway so dangerous and what you can do to protect yourself and your passengers when driving through construction zones.
What Makes I-264 Dangerous?
An 81-year-old man was killed October 31, 2019, while driving on Interstate 264, according to The Virginian-Pilot. The crash occurred in the early morning while construction crews were still active on the road. According to authorities, a driver had pulled onto the shoulder with vehicle problems when another person in a Ford pickup truck pulled over into a closed lane to assist.
Shortly afterward, the elderly driver, who was driving his Nissan Sentra in the closed lane, struck the pickup and veered into oncoming traffic, where he was hit by a dump truck. Authorities report that the elderly driver was later pronounced dead.
Unfortunately, fatal accidents are relatively common on roads like I-264 that are under construction. When traffic patterns change on a busy road, drivers may be unaware of these changes. Drivers who are familiar with the highway might get complacent and are less likely to observe slowdowns or alterations to the route due to construction.
Since the end of 2016, there has been nearly continuous construction on I-264. The construction has primarily taken place at night, between 9pm and 5am. During these hours, construction has caused lane closures and created new traffic patterns on I-264.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
If drivers are not adequately warned of construction zones on busy highways, severe injury and potentially fatal accidents could occur.
Common injuries that drivers and passengers could suffer in a car accident include:
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back and spine injuries (including injuries to the spinal cord)
- Head and facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burn injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
Determining liability for a crash that occurs in a construction zone can be challenging. Other drivers could be responsible if they fail to observe construction signage, are distracted, drowsy, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent. The construction company or government entity could be liable if they failed to put up proper signage or otherwise protect motorists from harm.
Because securing compensation for a construction zone accident will depend on many different factors, it is crucial to hire a qualified injury attorney to assist you with your case.
How Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. Can Help
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault on Interstate 264, you could be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other damages.
The Virginia car accident lawyers of Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. know how to help accident victims seek justice. Contact us now to discuss how we can help you.