Work Zone Accidents on Pennsylvania Highways

The lives of both workers and motorists on Pennsylvania highways are in danger every day in road construction and work zones. The following Pennsylvania work zone accident statistics should bring awareness to the risks inherent in construction zones and encourage Pennsylvania drivers to be vigilant when driving through them. If you have experienced a car accident that was the result of an unsafe construction zone on a Pennsylvania highway, our skilled car accident lawyers are here to help you.

Work zones are potentially treacherous areas because they are unpredictable and constantly changing. Motorists cannot always foresee the changes ahead of them, nor do they always exercise caution at the levels that are appropriate for work zones. In 2014, 47% of work zone collision victims in Pennsylvania were either injured or killed.

Work zones are potentially treacherous areas because circumstances are constantly changing. Motorists cannot always foresee the changes ahead of them, nor do they always exercise caution at the levels that are appropriate in work zones. In 2014, 47% of work zone collision victims in Pennsylvania were either injured or killed.

Accident Statistics: Pennsylvania Highway Work Zones in 2014

• There were 1,845 total work zones crashes in 2014
• 1,241 people were injured in these crashes
• 24 people were killed during 2014 in work zone crashes
• 3 of the people who were killed in work zone crashes in 2014 were workers
• 46% of the work zone collisions that occurred in 2014 resulted in injuries
• 1% of work zone crashes in 2014 were fatal
• Passenger cars experienced the most work zones crashes, followed by light truck/SUVs, heavy truck/buses, motorcycles, and then other types of vehicles
• 952 of work zone crashes in 2014 took place on state highways, while 244 occurred on the turnpike.

USDOT Safety Tips

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Highway Commission provides resources on their website for drivers, which includes driver safety tips in work zones. The very first tip on their list tells drivers to “Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions,” which means paying close attention to the highway despite potential distractions inside of the car, including children, passengers, cell phones, and pet passengers. Even changing the radio station, making adjustments to a GPS, and eating could be dangerous and put lives at risk in a work zone.

Unfortunately, no matter how safely we drive in Pennsylvania highway work zones, there will be at least another driver on the roadway who is not heeding the signs around them. As the USDOT states, “It only takes an extra 25 seconds to cover 1 mile at 45 mph, compared to 65 mph,” so speeding up to make it to work or any other important place or occasion is not necessarily the answer, especially when work zones are part of the route.

Injured in a Work Zone Accident?

Most work zone accidents can be avoided. If you or a loved one has been injured in a work zone accident, whether in a vehicle or as a worker, you should contact an experienced Pennsylvania car accident lawyer who can help you get the compensation you will need to cover medical expenses, lost time at work, vehicle repairs, and any other expenses that may arise. The faster you contact our team at Solnick Lawyers, the sooner we can start working on collecting evidence for your case and getting to work for you.