Construction zone collisions are all too common today. When big trucks are in these areas, it can lead to disastrous and fatal consequences. Truck accidents in construction zones pose a severe threat to your safety. According to TxDOT’s 2024 crash data, Texas recorded over 30,000 large truck crashes statewide, with 39,393 total commercial vehicle accidents. Nearly 30% of fatalities in work zones involved large trucks and buses, and the victims tend to be drivers and passengers of non-commercial vehicles.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Truck accidents in construction zones are more common due to frequent changes in traffic flow. Lane closures, detours, and reduced visibility make it harder for drivers to navigate, increasing the risk of collisions, especially with large trucks.
- Narrow lanes and speed limits contribute to accidents, as tight manoeuvring space and trucks speeding through reduced-speed zones can make construction zones especially dangerous, leading to severe crashes.
- Truck drivers’ pressure and fatigue are significant factors, as drivers under time pressure may speed or operate while fatigued, raising the chances of accidents in these hazardous zones.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Construction Zones
Constantly Changing Traffic Flow
One factor contributing to the increased accident rate is the frequent changes to the area, for example, lane closures and detours. These changing landscapes make it more challenging to navigate the site and easier to take a wrong turn and cause a collision.
Maneuverability
Narrow lanes, tight maneuvering, and speed dangers can make it harder for commercial trucks to maneuver through the work zone. The proximity of other cars also can make even small swerves dangerous and could cause more collisions.
Construction zones have reduced speed limits to help cars stop in an emergency. But if a commercial truck speeds through these areas to deliver their load more quickly, it can be a significant cause of a construction zone collision.
Increased Truck Numbers
Construction zones can also pose a hazard because of the increase in big rigs driving through the area. These big trucks tend to have blind spots, which makes it difficult to see smaller cars. With the increased traffic, these construction zones tend to have the highest rate of truck wrecks than any other area.
Visibility and Time of Day
The time of day plays a significant role in collisions as there are significantly more fatalities in construction zones at night. During the night or early morning, when there is little lighting, it can be tough to tell which turn to take. It can also be challenging to see workers. With an 18-wheeler, visibility is already an issue. Driving through these zones at night can make the situation worse.
Truck Driver
Truck drivers are under pressure to deliver their loads within a set timeframe. As a result, some drivers may speed in reduced speed work zones and have driver fatigue from transporting goods for 8-12 hours. In situations where a truck accident occurs in a work zone, the driver’s negligence can be a cause.
From fatigued drivers to poorly maintained rigs, we know what causes these crashes—and how to hold the right people accountable. Joe Stephens can help you fight for your recovery.
Who It Affects
The crash characteristics means that multiple people can be victims of big truck collisions in construction zones. In road work zones, there are usually workers present and numerous commercial and non-commercial vehicles. If a truck accident were to occur, it could affect workers and laypersons alike.
If the collision in a work zone is the truck driver’s fault, there are options for legal recourse but you need to hire a construction zone truck accident lawyer with experience, and if you lost someone due to a commercial truck accident, don’t doubt to call a West Houston wrongful death attorney today.
Critical Evidence in Construction Zone Cases
Because construction zones change daily, evidence can disappear as soon as the orange cones are moved. To win a case against a major trucking firm, Joe Stephens looks for specific evidence, including:
- The Traffic Control Plan (TCP): We review the contractor’s blueprints to see if the work zone was set up according to safety regulations.
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: We pull the “black box” data from the truck to see if the driver was speeding or over their hours-of-service limit at the moment of impact.
- Dashcam & Surveillance: We move quickly to secure footage from the truck itself and any nearby construction site cameras.
- Forensic Accident Reconstruction: Our experts analyze skid marks and debris patterns to prove that the truck—not you—caused the collision.
West Houston Construction Zone Truck Accident Attorney
If you were in a truck crash in a construction zone, The Stephens Law Firm is here to help you. Our team of truck injury attorneys has years of experience fighting for individuals and the financial compensation they deserve after being in vehicle accidents. If you need a team that will fight for you, call an experienced truck accident lawyers in West Houston!
