Florida roads are constantly under construction or repair. Highway work zones are some of the most dangerous areas for Fort Lauderdale motorists. They often involve narrowed lanes, changing traffic patterns, unclear signage and lane marking, construction equipment, and workers on the job during periods of heavy traffic. All these elements combine to increase the risk of life-threatening accidents occurring.
Proving causation and liability in construction zone accidents can be especially challenging. Many of these accidents involve multiple at-fault parties, as well as insurance companies working to shift blame away from their insureds.
You need the help of the Fort Lauderdale accident experts at Rosen Injury Law to protect your rights and help you secure the full value of your claim. At Rosen Injury Law, our attorneys have helped secure over $125 million for our clients, and we want to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call (954) 787-1500 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.
Common Causes of Fort Lauderdale Construction Zone Accidents
Construction zone accidents can happen for various reasons. Some accidents are caused by driver negligence. Some are caused by negligence on the part of construction companies and other parties. Many are the fault of multiple parties.
Driver negligence often involves distracted driving, such as texting, reading, eating, and adjusting vehicle controls. Other driver error causes include driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, aggressive driving, fatigued driving, and failing to follow traffic laws.
Vehicle and equipment failures can contribute to accidents, as can construction company negligence. Construction company negligence may include inadequate warning signs, improperly positioned barriers or traffic cones, inadequate lighting, construction debris or equipment left too close to oncoming traffic, or a confusing traffic pattern.
The Florida Department of Transportation has established work zone safety standards. If construction companies fail to comply with those safety regulations, they can be held accountable for the resulting damages.
Liability in Fort Lauderdale Construction Zone Accidents
Determining liability in construction zone accidents requires careful and thorough investigation. Potentially liable parties include the negligent driver, the construction company, contractors or subcontractors, the entity responsible for traffic control devices, equipment manufacturers, and government entities.
Construction zone accident cases require swift action. Evidence can disappear quickly since construction zones are temporary. Layouts and placement of equipment, barriers, and signs may change or be dismantled before evidence can be properly documented.
Traffic control devices may be moved, witness memories often fade over time, and construction company records may be lost.
At Rosen Injury Law, our Fort Lauderdale construction zone accident lawyers will build your strongest case by preserving and collecting evidence, including accident scene photographs, traffic control device placement and condition, construction company work zone plans, witness statements, accident reconstruction analysis, and compliance records showing whether the work zone met safety standards.
How Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System Impacts Your Fort Lauderdale Construction Accident Claim
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that you will file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage first. Your PIP coverage will pay up to $10,000 for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who is at fault. If your medical expenses exceed the PIP limit or you have a permanent injury, you can pursue a claim against the at-fault parties.
Insurance Companies and Defense Attorneys Will Try To Shift Blame To You
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence model that allows you to recover damages only if you were 50% or less at fault. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any compensation.
If you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover compensation, but your percentage of fault will reduce the amount you recover. For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found to be 50% at fault, you will only be able to recover $100,000 after deducting your percentage of fault. Knowing this, insurance companies and defendants work hard to place as much blame for the accident as possible on you.
Our Fort Lauderdale construction zone accident lawyers know how to handle the tactics used by insurance companies and defense attorneys, and we know how to hold them responsible for paying the full value of your claim. However, you should promptly consult Rosen Injury Law so we can take fast action to preserve vital evidence and begin working to build your strongest case.
Why You Need a Fort Lauderdale Construction Zone Accident Lawyer
Construction zone accident cases are often more complex than typical car accident claims, frequently involving multiple liable parties, lawyers, and insurance companies, complex safety regulations, and disputed liability and damages. You need the help of an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer with the skills, knowledge, and resources to identify causation and liability and prove the full value of your damages.
Your lawyer can carefully investigate your accident to determine causation and liability. They can help establish and accurately value your damages so you know what a fair settlement of your claim would be.
An experienced Fort Lauderdale construction zone accident lawyer can work to resolve your claim as quickly as possible. If a fair settlement is not reached, they can take your case to trial to help you recover the full value of your damages.
Your chances of success are much higher when a Fort Lauderdale construction zone accident lawyer represents you.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Rosen Injury Law
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Fort Lauderdale construction zone accident, do not trust the insurance companies to treat you fairly. They and the at-fault parties will try to shift blame to you, deny liability, and devalue your claim.
At Rosen Injury Law, our Fort Lauderdale construction zone accident lawyers know how to build your strongest case and help you recover maximum compensation for your damages. Call (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.