Preventing Work Zone Vehicle Accidents in Illinois

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

After a long, nasty winter, spring has finally arrived. The good weather also means that drivers all over Illinois will encounter work zone areas as road, construction, and utility crews head outside. But work zone safety is an issue – there are typically 4,300 work zone vehicle accidents every year in this state. Last year, work zone crashes took the lives of 29 people, including three workers who were only doing their job.

A work zone is defined by any roadway which has ongoing maintenance work, utility work, or construction which is taking place. Work zones are required to have posted signs, with flashing lights, indicating where the zone begins and where it ends. Illinois, like all states, requires that there be reduced speeds in work zones and violators face stiff penalties. A first offense for speeding in work zone will get a person a $375 fine. Subsequent offenses are $1,000 each. If a driver hits a worker in a work zone, they face a $10,000 penalty and up to 14 years in prison.

Driving through work zones can be challenging. Often there are sudden lane shifts or closures, and uneven pavement, as well as obstacles, such as barrels or cones, to maneuver around. It is also common for workers and equipment to be just feet away from passing traffic. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has instituted the “Expect the Unexpected” campaign this year to remind drivers to do just that when they are driving through work zones – expect the unexpected.

The majority of victims who are injured in work zone accidents – up to 90 percent – are actually motorists and these accidents are often caused by negligent drivers who are tailgating, speeding, or involved in distracted driving activities. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accidents which occur.

If you have been injured in a work zone car accident, contact an experienced Lake County personal injury attorney to find out what kind of legal compensation you may be entitled to. Call the attorneys at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. today at 847-662-3303.