Road Construction Accident Injuries in Austin

New construction on the roadways in and around Austin is a common sight for drivers in central Texas. This region is growing at a rapid pace, and increased traffic means that those roads need to undergo regular construction for repair and expansion projects.

The Texas Department of Transportation has identified over 20 Austin road projects in the “study” or planning phase as well as several major projects planned along the 1-35 corridor in the Austin area. This indicates an increased likelihood of more Austin, TX road construction accidents in the years to come.

Even the best drivers can have a difficult time navigating around all this construction, a point demonstrated by the 244 deaths in Texas work zones in 2021. TXDOT reports that this was a 33% increase in fatalities over the previous year. Medical bills and other expenses from these accidents can pile up quickly, and financial problems get exacerbated when the injured party cannot return to work immediately.

The top Austin injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw have decades of experience fighting for the rights of Texans and can be a critical resource for you if you’re seeking compensation for a recent road construction accident. We offer free case reviews and initial consultations, and we don’t get paid until we win.

There are several rules/laws to keep in mind when driving in areas of Austin with roadside construction:

• Texas’ Move Over/Slow Down law requires drivers to move over one lane and/or reduce their speed by at least 20mph when in the presence of an emergency vehicle, Texas Department of Transportation vehicle, or other utility vehicle with their lights on/flashing. This law also applies in construction zones.
• Fines for traffic violations in construction zones with workers present are doubled; offenders can expect fines up to $2,000.

The most common instances of civilian driver error that contribute to Texas roadside construction accidents are as follows:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Failure to follow signage/worker instructions
• Failure to follow Move Over/Slow Down laws

An experienced car accident lawyer in Austin, like those at Carabin Shaw, can help you better understand the law to determine the extent of the damages you’re owed.

While civilian motorists account for a significant number of roadside construction accidents, the construction companies themselves hold a great deal of responsibility to maintain a safe environment not only for their workers, but for the motorists who must use those roads on their daily commutes.

In order to travel safely, motorists can reasonably expect construction companies to establish certain safety protocols, such as:

• Training workers to perform their duties with care and attention
• Outfitting workers with protective gear like helmets, appropriate footwear, and brightly-colored/reflective clothing
• Posting informative, up-to-date signage
• Making safe detours where necessary
• Keeping the road clear of equipment and debris
• Making work vehicles easy to see with lights and colors

A qualified personal injury lawyer can determine whether or not a construction company is at fault due to their own negligence or the mistakes of one of their workers/drivers. The latter scenario is related to a particular legal doctrine in Texas called “vicarious liability,” which holds an employer accountable for the actions of their employees.

Workers who have been improperly trained or certified as well as workers demonstrating general negligence can make the company the at-fault party in your claim, which can often help your attorney win you higher compensation for your injuries.

If you want to learn more about what we’ve done for other Texans, we recommend reading Carabin Shaw’s client reviews.

If you think we can help you with a roadside construction accident claim, you can call us toll-free, 24/7, at 800-862-1260. We have both English- and Spanish-speaking representatives available to answer your questions.