What to do after an accident in a construction zone.

What To Do After An Accident in a Construction Zone?

Spring and summer months begin the constant annoyance of road constructions. Whether you are driving on Interstate 79 or on city streets, you are bound to come across some orange cones or barrels with flashing signs telling you to get over or watch out for stopped traffic. We all want good pothole free roads, and yet we all get annoyed when we have to sit in traffic for what sometimes seem like (or in some cases actually is) hours and hours.

But what happens when a distracted driver or a driver who ignores the warning signs causes an accident, and the victim ends up being you? What will you do then? Who will pay to get your car fixed? Who will get blamed? You followed the signs, you slowed down to a crawl, but the jerk behind you didn’t and now your car is ruined.

Don’t panic! That’s right, read that again, don’t panic. You have questions that you need answers to, and we here at The Miley Legal Group have the answers you need. We deal with crashes in road construction zones all the time. Did you know that each year there are approximately 30,000 people injured as a result of accidents in a work zone? In fact, on average over 700 people are actually killed as a result.

We want you to have the information you need to make sure you get back on your feet and back on the road. We understand that dealing with the aftermath of an accident can cause a lot of grief. But we also understand, the more information you have, the better off you are in dealing with your accident, the insurance company and the adjuster that may get in touch with you. However, before we get into any of that, we want you to be taken care of medically. If you have any injuries, your number one priority should be to get the medical attention you need.

After you have received medical attention, it is important to make sure you have as many details about the accident that you can get a hold of. Specifically, you will need to know exact location and any other involved drivers. This information should be on a police report, sometimes referred to as an accident exchange form. If you were taken from the accident by ambulance, you should be able to get this information afterward from the responding agency. You will also want to note any witnesses to the accident, including any construction workers that may have saw it. It would be good to take a picture of any contractor vehicles so that you or your attorney can follow up with those companies to gather statements.

Once you have the information, it is important to notify your insurance company. A claim will be opened and contact will be made to the other driver’s company. Keep in mind that you may be asked to sign documents or give statements. We advise that you do not give the other driver’s insurance adjuster a recorded statement, either written or on tape. In fact before speaking to an adjuster, it would be in your best interest to get our FREE report on the “Three Traps Set by Insurance Companies After and Accident.” This information is invaluable when they reach out to you.

It is important that you make sure you have a basic understanding of the process and what to watch out for when dealing with an accident that occurred in a construction zone. There are specific issues that may come up that do not normally appear during a normal accident claim. If you have questions or get concerned on how you are being treated, feel free to contact our office and we will answer any of your questions.

Source: National Safety Council and Governor’s Highway Safety Association

Author Bio

Tim Miley is the Founder of Miley Legal Accident Injury Lawyers, a West Virginia personal injury law firm he formed in 2006. With more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law, he is dedicated to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, wrongful death, and other personal injury matters.

Tim received his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University and is a member of the West Virginia State Bar and the Harrison County Bar Association. He has helped his clients win more than $10 million in personal injury verdicts and settlements and has further served the people of West Virginia by filling legislative roles in the state’s government since 2004.

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