What To Do After a Road Construction Accident

Road construction accidents happen when you least expect them. It is essential to know what to do if you are involved in one. In this guide, we explain the seven most important steps you need to take after a road construction accident.

7 Steps to Take After a Road Construction Accident

Road construction car accidents can happen in many ways. Following the steps below will help you to protect yourself and others involved in the accident, as well as position you well in terms of legal options.

Ensure Safety and Check for Injuries

The first and most important thing you need to worry about after any type of accident is the safety of yourself and others. Make sure that you are no longer in danger. This might mean getting out of your vehicle or getting away from the street. This is especially true at road construction sites, where traffic patterns might be different than usual and visibility is sometimes difficult. If your vehicle still works and you can move it, carefully do so until you are in a safe area away from the flow of traffic. This way you can avoid being involved in another accident.

Also, turn on your hazard lights to improve your car’s visibility on the road. This will help others be cautious and avoid any other type of complication. This is especially true for people who tailgate and will not have much time to react.

Once you are completely out of harm's way, check on the well-being of your passengers and anyone else involved in the accident.

Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible

Even if injuries are not apparent, you cannot go wrong by seeking medical assistance. The shock of the accident can keep you from noticing even your own injuries. Medical professionals can make sure that you and others are actually fine. Do not delay seeking medical attention because even seemingly minor injuries can worsen over time if they are not treated. 

Having these medical records will also be helpful for insurance claims and other legal procedures because they serve as evidence of your damages.

Exchange Information With Parties Involved

Exchange information with the other people involved in the crash. This includes names, contact details, driver's license numbers, vehicle information, insurance information, and license plate numbers. You should also ask witnesses such as road construction workers for their contact information as they can eventually help as you seek compensation from the at-fault party in the accident.

Document All Possible Evidence

Collecting evidence of your accident can make the difference between obtaining the right amount of compensation and not getting anything. Your auto insurance company will conduct its own investigation to determine if you are eligible for compensation. But it is not necessarily on your side. It can reject your claim for many reasons, such as suspicion of fraud, liability due to aggressive driving, or simply ill will. But if you have your own evidence, you have a chance to convince the company or a jury to approve your claim. Here are the steps involved in documenting evidence:

Take pictures of the accident scene: Pull out your smartphone or camera and start by taking photographs of the work zone accident scene from various angles. Take as many pictures and videos as possible. Try to illustrate all of the areas that had an effect on your accident. This includes capturing the positions of vehicles involved, any debris on the road, and the general layout of the scene. 

Document vehicle and property damage: Next, focus your lens on the damage sustained by the vehicles and any property involved. These images will help you demonstrate that the damage was a direct result of the car accident in the construction zone. Plus, the damage to the vehicles will be able to illustrate the accident and how it occurred.

Capture road conditions: Since the accident happened in a construction zone, you need to take pictures and video of road conditions. Record any skid marks because they can indicate the trajectory of vehicles before and after impact. Also, take pictures of road signs and construction zone warnings in the area. This evidence can help establish whether proper precautions were in place and whether any negligence contributed to the accident.

Record injuries: Photograph any visible injuries you and your passengers suffered. This will help show the physical impact of the accident. In the unfortunate case that injuries worsen over time, then the images will verify that they were caused by the accident.

Contact Authorities and Report the Accident

Even if the accident appears to be minor, you need to report it to the authorities. Call the local police to report the accident and follow their instructions. A police report can serve as an official record of the incident and can be useful when dealing with insurance claims, too.

Calling the construction company to report the incident can also be helpful. Once it is aware of the risks of its construction site, the company can address the problems and prevent more accidents while ensuring road workers' safety. This is not necessarily the most urgent matter in these scenarios, so you can do this later after you have resolved the other issues.

Inform Your Insurance Company

Now it is time to call your insurance company and report the accident. Tell it with honesty how the incident happened, and it will guide you through the claims process. Keep in mind that anything you say can be used against you, so to decrease the chances of a claim denial, be honest and stick to the facts.

Consult a Lawyer for Guidance

More often than you think, insurance claims get denied, and policy holders do not know what to do next. It is very beneficial to have a law firm on call whenever something like this happens to you. An attorney with experience in dealing with road construction accidents can advise you on exactly what to do at all times to maximize your compensation.

A lawyer can also help you assess the full extent of damages, both economic and non-economic ones, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other potential costs you might have not considered. 

And if you’re suing the responsible party for the construction site accident, a good lawyer will work to build a strong case on your behalf, increasing your chances of winning.

Get the Compensation You Deserve Today

The legal aftermath of road construction accidents can get very complicated. To pursue a claim, you need to establish liability, obtain the right evidence, and build a strong case to receive the appropriate compensation for your damages. Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, P.C. can be the helping hand you need during these times. Our law firm has extensive experience handling these types of cases and can make the best case for you. We have a strong track record of success in getting positive results for our clients.

Contact us today and schedule a free consultation to talk about your situation.