Construction zones on Lincoln roads like O Street or I-80 often feel cramped and unpredictable. When lanes narrow and barriers are missing, one wrong move can lead to a serious crash.
From 2010 to 2020, there were 66 work-zone accidents in Nebraska and 84 fatalities. In 2022, there were seven fatal crashes in road construction areas. These collisions often leave victims with damaged property, weeks of physical therapy, missed work, and constant pain.
After a collision in a work zone, you may have questions about who’s responsible. Was it the other driver? A poorly marked detour? Should the construction crew have done more to keep traffic safe?
Liability in these cases is rarely straightforward. Learn who may be at fault and how a skilled Lincoln car accident lawyer can maximize your compensation.
Who Can Be Liable for a Construction Zone Crash?
Multiple parties are often involved in keeping a construction zone safe. When something goes wrong, liability may fall on one or more of the following:
Another Driver: Unsafe Behavior Behind the Wheel
Speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, or failing to yield in a merge zone are common causes of work zone crashes. In 2022, 34% of fatal construction zone collisions in the U.S. involved speeding, and 21% were rear-end incidents.
Even in reduced-speed areas, many drivers ignore signs or make last-second decisions that lead to serious collisions.
Construction Companies or Contractors: Poor Site Setup or Maintenance
Construction companies or subcontractors handle lane markings, posted warnings, and overall site layout in active work zones. Unsafe merges, unclear directions, or leftover equipment in traffic lanes can make them responsible for a crash.
Government Agencies: Negligent Oversight or Approval
When a government crew handles the road work, the city, county, or state can be liable. That includes cases involving poor traffic plans, ignored safety complaints, or failed inspections.
Liability often depends on who had control of the area at the time and whether they met safety standards.
When Unsafe Work Zones Cause a Crash
Not every construction zone accident is caused by a reckless driver. Sometimes, it’s the zone itself that creates danger. These are some of the most common hazards:
- Poor or Missing Signage: Drivers need advance notice while behind the wheel about lane closures, detours, and speed limits. When that information comes too late or isn’t posted, drivers must make sudden stops and risky merges.
- Hazardous Lane Layouts or Detours: Narrow detours, abrupt turns, or confusing lane changes increase the chance of sideswipes and run-off-road crashes, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Improper Use of Barriers: Concrete dividers or cones placed too close to moving traffic or left unsecured can force drivers into tight spaces or cause them to overcorrect.
- Faulty Traffic Control: Untrained flaggers, broken signals, or inconsistent directions at the scene often lead to sudden stops, missed cues, and preventable collisions.
Unsafe zones are preventable. Construction crews who fail to follow proper site management protocols can be held responsible for accidents.
Why Determining Fault in a Work Zone Isn’t Straightforward
Construction zones are always changing, including their layouts and who’s in charge of them. That constant change makes it much harder to determine who’s at fault after a crash for the following reasons:
- Changing Oversight: One contractor might run the site during the day while another crew takes over at night. Responsibility depends on who had control when the crash occurred.
- Overlapping Roles: Traffic plans, signage, and safety checks are often split between multiple teams. Identifying who failed in their duties requires reviewing contracts, timelines, and site records.
- Limited Documentation: Work zone logs, contractor schedules, and traffic control plans are often incomplete or missing. Without these records, it’s harder to confirm who was responsible and what safety steps were taken.
- Constant Layout Changes: Cones, barriers, and detours often move throughout the day. What the driver saw at the time may not match what investigators see later.
Determining liability requires a detailed investigation into how the zone was being managed when the crash happened.
How a Lincoln Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you were injured in a construction zone crash, proving what happened can be difficult without the right support. An experienced car accident attorney can help you gather the evidence to prove fault.
At Friedman Law Offices, our team can:
- Visit the crash site quickly to take photographs and document conditions before the layout changes
- Request project logs, contracts, and subcontractor lists to identify who was responsible for signage, barriers, and traffic control
- Obtain footage from traffic cameras and collect witness statements to clarify how the crash happened
- Work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the scene and determine whether safety protocols were followed
- Build a case against the liable party, whether a contractor, a government agency, or another driver
We fight to hold the right party accountable and pursue the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical costs, and long-term recovery.
Get Skilled Legal Help for Your Lincoln Work Zone Injury Claim
Construction zone crashes often result in serious injuries and leave victims unsure of where to turn.
Our Lincoln car accident lawyers at Friedman Law Offices examine every detail to determine what went wrong and who was responsible. We take on the legal fight so you can focus on healing and getting your life back on track.
You deserve answers and compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let our Lincoln car accident lawyers investigate your case and pursue what you’re owed.