Construction Zone Crash When Semi Collides With Paver
A construction zone accident happened along Highway 99 when a tractor-trailer overturned on June 20. The reason the big rig overturned, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), was because it collided with a paving machine placed there by Caltrans. The collision occurred about 4:00 in the morning close to Fruitridge Road, and workers on the project were present at the time. The accident report said that the big rig struck the paver while two workers were on it. One worker jumped into the other worker’s lap to avoid being hit by the semi. The driver of the big rig and both Caltrans workers were injured in the accident and transported to a nearby hospital. None of the injuries appeared to be major, according to a CHP spokesman.
Details of the Collision
The tractor-trailer was carrying a load of heavy scrap metal at the time of the crash, which spilled all over the highway’s southbound lanes. Because the paver struck by the big rig weighs in at about 75,000 pounds, it may have contributed to saving the lives of both Caltrans workers. The southbound lanes at Highway 99 had to be closed to traffic due to the extensive cleanup required. The cleanup was expected to take at least four hours to complete.
Construction Zone Worker Fatalities
Highways are constantly undergoing repair, and construction can pose a significant danger to drivers and crews. The number of construction zone workers killed on the job is two times that of all other industries combined. In the five years between 2011 and 2016, 532 construction zone workers were killed. Approximately 50 percent of the fatalities were caused when a worker was hit by a car or a truck. Overall, workers stationed to flag drivers through the construction zone had the highest number of fatalities. Procedures are being implemented to help keep the workers safe. However, confusion at the construction site often leads to an accident.
Car Accidents in Construction Zones
In the past eight years, there have been 4,000 traffic collisions in road construction zones. The number of people injured and killed increases when the work zone is large and during bad weather. Drivers often recklessly travel through construction zones. For instance, disobeying instructions or driving at a speed higher than that posted. Upgraded fines may be levied against those drivers who fail to obey the rules.
Damages in a Construction Zone
A driver who is injured due to another driver’s failure to follow the rules may recoup damages from the negligent party. Generally, medical expenses are the biggest financial drain on the injured party. Lost income, amputation, disfigurement, and property loss are included in a potential lawsuit. If someone was killed in a construction zone accident, the deceased’s family may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover lost support and loss of consortium.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Being injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver can leave you with high medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses. You may be able to place a claim to cover those costs with the help of a seasoned personal injury lawyer. Call me for my free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 in the Sacramento area. From other parts of Northern California, I offer a toll-free line at (800) 404-5400. Our online contact form is also an easy way to get in touch.
Since 1982, I’ve helped Sacramento residents get the compensation they need to pay for their accident injuries. Areas I work in include wrongful death cases, all varieties of car collisions and traumas such as brain injuries.
You can discover more about my law practice by checking out the following sites for client reviews and cases my firm has handled
I am honored to be a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. This is a group open only to those lawyers who are deemed to hold the highest standards of excellence in their practice. In addition, I belong to the Million Dollar Forum. It accepts as members trial lawyers who have won in excess of $1 million for a previous client.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/highway-jam-traffic-pkw-autos-1761825/
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