Work Zone Car Crashes in San Diego

Even though California requires drivers to exercise extra caution when moving through a work zone, not everyone follows the law. When drivers speed, check their phones, or fail to merge correctly when lanes on San Diego highways close for construction, traffic accidents happen more frequently. As a victim of a work zone car crash in San Diego, California, it’s important to hold the driver who caused your wreck accountable.

That’s where Singleton Schreiber can help. Our San Diego car accident lawyers are nationally recognized trial attorneys known for client-forward representation and top-tier results. Backed by decades of experience handling complex civil disputes, we’ve forced insurance companies and powerful corporations to pay our clients over $3 Billion in financial settlements and jury awards.

Make the most of your work zone car accident claim by trusting our top-rated law firm to fight for you. We offer a complimentary case evaluation. Contact our law office in San Diego today.

How Common Are Work Zone Car Accidents?

According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), there were an estimated 96,000 car accidents in work zones across the nation in 2022. While many collisions were minor fender-benders, at least 37,000 people were injured, and 891 people were killed in work zone crashes that year.

That year, more than 10 percent of the nation’s work zone accidents took place on California roads and highways. One report revealed that The Golden State saw 10,000 work zone car accidents, resulting in 4,500 injuries and 117 fatalities.

That’s roughly 27 work zone car crashes in the state of California every day.

What Causes Work Zone Car Accidents in San Diego, CA?

Some of the most common causes of car accidents in San Diego work zones include:

Speeding

Speeding is risky when driving conditions are optimal. When passing through a work zone, speeding can be even more dangerous.

Work zone lanes are often protected by large concrete barriers or cones, which require motorists to be more precise when traveling through the construction zone. Accuracy can be more difficult when driving at high rates of speed. If a car is speeding and clips a concrete barrier or cone, it can be disastrous for the occupants of the car, pedestrians, and workers in the construction area.

Not surprisingly, speeding was a factor in 34 percent of all work zone fatalities in 2022.

Merging Errors

When approaching a work zone on a San Diego highway, drivers are often required to merge into a single lane of traffic. Ideally, motorists will use a “zipper” approach where motorists in neighboring lanes take turns merging. Merging like this means drivers are on the same page and significantly reduces the likelihood of a collision.

Unfortunately, many drivers suffer from road rage when they find themselves approaching a work zone. Some may refuse to allow other vehicles - particularly commercial vehicles - to merge into their lane of traffic. In 2022, 30 percent of fatal work zone car accidents involved commercial trucks.

Others might attempt to weave between lanes to “beat” the vehicles in front of them and make it through the work zone faster. When drivers fail to yield the right of way or engage in aggressive maneuvers at the wheel, accidents are much more likely to happen in San Diego’s work zones.

Distracted Driving

Traffic can slow down significantly when a work zone is active on a San Diego highway. Some drivers may become bored and decide to send a text, scroll social media, or make a call.

However, it’s critical for drivers to pay attention when navigating through a work zone. Traffic patterns are different, and vehicles can make unpredictable movements. If the work zone is on or near an arterial road, vehicles may be regularly entering and exiting the flow of traffic. If drivers aren’t paying attention - even for a few seconds - serious accidents can happen.

Rear-end collisions and side-impact collisions are particularly common when drivers are distracted. And while rear-end car accidents typically have a low fatality rate, that changes when they occur in a work zone. According to federal crash data, 21 percent of all work zone fatalities in 2022 occurred in rear-end collisions.

How Can I Get Compensation After a Work Zone Car Accident in San Diego?

Work zone car accidents can be costly. Fortunately, California requires motorists to carry minimum amounts of car insurance in the event of a wreck. If you’ve been injured in a work zone crash in San Diego because someone else was careless, you can submit a claim with their insurance company to recover monetary benefits for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and tougher-to-value pain and suffering.

In 2024, you’ll be able to recover at least $15,000 in bodily injury benefits and $5,000 for damaged property. If the at-fault driver purchased higher policy limits, you can recover damages up to those limits.

If someone else - such as a government agency, construction worker, construction company, or vehicle manufacturer - caused the work zone accident, or if your damages are greater than the negligent driver’s policy limits, you can seek compensatory damages through a civil personal injury lawsuit.

Keep in mind that contributory negligence will limit your financial recovery. If you’re partly to blame for the work zone crash, your damages will be reduced accordingly.

Call Singleton Schreiber For Help After a Work Zone Car Accident in San Diego, CA

Don’t struggle with the costs and consequences of a work zone collision in San Diego on your own. Demand compensation for your injuries or loved one’s wrongful death by calling Singleton Schreiber.

Our San Diego personal injury lawyers have decades of experience litigating tough car accident claims and forcing insurance companies to do the right thing. As local litigators with national resources, we’ve won billions in damages for clients like you.

Since California applies a two-year statute of limitations to most personal injury claims, you’ll have a limited time to seek compensation for your work zone crash injuries. So, do not hesitate to contact our California car accident attorneys in San Diego today. There’s no charge for your first case evaluation.