Construction is a dangerous business, not just for the workers, but for anyone who happens to come in contact with the site. Mistakes on road construction projects can be nothing short of catastrophic for the victims. These can result in not just major injuries, but significant liability.
However, it’s important to know how to pursue these cases and when to seek help from a qualified attorney for help. Learn about accident claims based on road construction negligence, and how the right Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can help you collect damages.
Road Construction Negligence
Road construction negligence can take a number of forms, but negligence is the key word in the phrase. In order to collect damages, you’ll need to prove that the company was, in fact, negligent in some way. This can take a number of forms, from improper signage to not leaving enough room for motorists to get by, from dangerous pavement conditions to failing to clean up the site.
Construction companies are required to give plenty of warning about construction. If there isn’t proper signage under federal law and an accident occurs, they can be held liable. If a motorist has to navigate a sharp turn that’s too tight to meet regulations, at too high a speed, liability on the part of the construction company can result.
Likewise, road construction companies are required to maintain generally safe conditions. If the pavement is uneven and not marked as such, this can present an unreasonable hazard, especially to motorcycle riders. In addition, once the construction is complete, the road conditions must be returned to normal, drivable conditions; failure to do so can result in accident negligence claims.
Proving Negligence
In order to prove negligence in road construction, there are three things that have to be established. The first is that the construction company had a duty to keep the zone reasonably safe by complying with all federal and state regulations, and taking reasonable measures beyond those regulations to make sure that the risk of injury is minimized.
The second is that the company violated this duty. In failing to meet regulations, or take the necessary steps to prevent accident and injury, they directly placed motorists and others in the area in danger.
Finally, it must be demonstrated that this negligent failure to maintain their duty caused the accident. You must show that the damages you suffered were caused because the company didn’t maintain proper and safe conditions.
Collecting Damages
If you’re hurt in a road construction accident, you can be eligible to collect a range of damages, from the costs of vehicle repair to medical bills, lost wages and future compensation, pain and suffering, loss of your quality of life, lost consortium and relationships, emotional damages and more.
The problem arises in that many construction claims might involve a government entity. These can be very tricky because there are limits to how much you can sue the government for, and under what circumstances. Pursuing such cases requires knowledgeable help.
If you’re in Las Vegas and have suffered an injury due to road construction negligence, call the attorneys at Eglet Law. We’ve helped clients pursue claims involving defective roadways for years, and we’re ready to help you as well. Get in touch for a free consultation today!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE STRICT STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS IN NEVADA THAT REQUIRE YOU FILE ANY INJURY CASE WITHIN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME, OR RISK DISMISSAL WITH NO COMPENSATION. CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OR ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS CAN ALSO BE GOVERENED BY NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS, WHICH IF ARE NOT FOLLOWED WILL PREVENT YOU FROM FILING AN OTHERWISE VALID CLAIM.
