Colorado Construction Zone Truck Accidents

In 2022, 891 people died and 37,701 people were injured in work zone crashes, including accidents that occurred in construction areas. These data from the National Safety Council underscore the growing concern about driving in construction zones throughout the United States. Construction sites pose high risks for both the motorists traveling the areas full of signs, barrels, and lane changes and the workers assigned to build, repair, and keep the roads in good condition.  

The Colorado truck accident lawyers at Bowman Law believe that understanding the causes and dangers of such crashes in construction zones is critical for establishing liability and securing the compensation the victims deserve. In this article, we will delve into the crucial factors leading to truck accidents in construction zones, the injuries that the parties involved may suffer, and the damages they may obtain, to help them protect their legal rights and interests.

Why Colorado Construction Zone Truck Accidents are Common

In Colorado, accidents in construction zones involving trucks are common. The combination of large commercial vehicles, complex construction zone conditions, and increased traffic congestion aggravates the occurrence of catastrophic collisions. Truck accidents are more common in construction zones throughout Colorado due to the following reasons:

• Reduced space: Construction zones commonly have narrower lanes and less room for maneuvers, making it challenging for large trucks.
• Abrupt changes in traffic flow: Truck drivers may be unprepared for lane closures, merges, and detours, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area.
• Increased stopping distances: Trucks need more time and distance to safely make a stop. In construction zones with lower speed limits and potential sudden stops, trucks may cause rear-end collisions.
• Blind spots: Construction equipment, barriers, and altered road layouts can create additional blind spots for truck drivers.
• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers are more susceptible to fatigue due to monotonous driving and long work hours.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers and other motorists may become distracted by construction activities or signage in the work zone.
• Poor visibility: Dust, debris, lack of proper lighting in construction zones, and weather conditions reduce visibility for all drivers.
• Uneven road surfaces: Temporary road surfaces or abrupt changes in pavement can affect the stability and handling of a truck.
• Inadequate signage: Lack of or unclear warning signs about construction zones can cause truckers to brake unexpectedly or change lanes.
• Speed differentials: The combination of slow-moving construction vehicles and faster-moving traffic can result in dangerous situations, particularly for large trucks with limited maneuverability.

Causes of Colorado Construction Zones Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in construction areas occur due to several factors. The main causes of truck-related collisions in construction zones are:

• Speeding: Truck drivers who fail to lessen their speed or slow down in construction zones despite posted limits in the area may cause a collision.
• Fatigue: Truckers who have been driving for long hours and monotonously can experience drowsiness or decreased alertness, increasing their risks of being involved in crashes.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers who use phones or other gadgets, adjust GPS, are inattentive, or distracted due to construction activities may cause accidents.
• Impaired driving: Truckers who operate commercial vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol can hit other motorists, pedestrians, or objects on the road.
• Unsafe following distance: Collisions may happen when truck drivers do not maintain safe distances from vehicles in front of them.
• Inadequate training: Truckers with a lack of proper training for safely navigating construction zones may collide with other road users or objects in the roadway. 
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Crashes may occur if the truck suffers from a brake failure, tire blowout, or other mechanical issues complicated by construction conditions.
• Aggressive driving: Drivers who become impatient in slow-moving construction traffic may perform unsafe maneuvers and cause collisions.
• Weather conditions: Rain, fog, or sun glare impact visibility in work zones. Adverse weather may affect the vision of truckers, contributing to the occurrence of crashes.
• Inadequate markings in construction areas: Accidents may take place when a construction zone does not have appropriate warnings or signage or clear traffic flow instructions.
• Poor road conditions: Uneven pavement, potholes, debris, and insufficient lighting in construction zones may contribute to collisions.
• Sudden lane changes: Other motorists who execute abrupt moves to exit or merge force truckers to react quickly, increasing crash risks.
• Construction equipment or workers on the road: Truck drivers who perform sudden evasive actions due to unexpected obstacles in the roadway may cause collisions.
• Work pressure: Crashes may happen when truckers are pressured to meet deadlines and take risks to make up for construction-related delays.
• Complex traffic patterns: Confusing temporary road layouts may result in navigation errors and cause accidents.

Types of Colorado Construction Zone Truck Accidents

Trucks in construction zones can be involved in a variety of accidents, depending on the driving conditions in these areas. The types of Colorado construction zone truck accidents include the following:

• Rear-end collisions: Sudden stops are common in construction zones due to lane closures, slow-moving traffic, or workers on the road. Trucks, with their long stopping distances, can crash into the back of other vehicles when traffic slows abruptly.
• Sideswipe accidents: A truck driver can sideswipe other vehicles as they try to navigate through narrow lanes or sudden lane shifts in construction zones.
• Jackknifing: If a trucker brakes suddenly or loses control on uneven road surfaces or during a lane change, the trailer can swing out to the side and cause a jackknife incident.
• Run-off-road crashes: Trucks may veer off the road due to tight lanes and reduced shoulder space in construction zones, or in an attempt to avoid a collision or obstacle.
• Underride accidents: In construction zones where abrupt stops are frequent, a smaller vehicle that collided with the rear or side of a truck can slide underneath the trailer.
• T-bone collisions: When a truck driver fails to yield or miscalculates the traffic flow in a construction zone, they can hit the side of another vehicle at an intersection or lane change area.
• Rollover accidents: A truck may roll over in construction zones due to uneven pavement, sharp turns, or sudden speed changes. It may also overturn due to an improperly balanced load or unexpected swerving to avoid an obstacle.
• Head-on collisions: A trucker may enter the wrong lane in construction areas where lanes are temporarily diverted or traffic patterns change. In the process, the driver may crash into another vehicle head-on.
• Crashes involving construction workers or equipment: A truck driver may hit construction workers or equipment if they fail to notice them or if the work zone is located on the travel lanes. 
• Multi-vehicle pileups: A trucker may cause a chain reaction of collisions if they fail to stop in time and hit another vehicle in construction zones with heavy traffic or sudden stops.
• Blind spot accidents or no-zone accidents: A trucker may collide with other road users in blind spots. An accident may happen if the truck changes lanes or turns in construction zones where visibility is lessened and lanes are narrower.
• Collisions involving fixed objects on the road: A truck may crash into construction zone barriers, cones, or other fixed objects if they fail to navigate narrow lanes or mistakenly estimate the space for turns or lane changes.

Injuries in Colorado Construction Zone Truck Accidents

Colorado construction zone truck accidents can lead to severe and life-threatening injuries due to the size and weight of the trucks, the force of the collision, and the hazardous conditions in the work zones. The most common injuries the victims may suffer are:

• Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI
• Spinal cord injuries, including paraplegia or quadriplegia
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal injuries such as damage to the liver, spleen, or kidneys, internal bleeding, and punctured lungs
• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Burns ranging from first to third degree
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Lacerations and abrasions
• Facial injuries such as broken jaws, dental injuries, eye injuries, and disfigurement
• Psychological trauma like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and difficulty returning to work or normal life.
• Fatal injuries

Damages in Colorado Truck Accident Attorneys 

Victims of Colorado construction zone truck accidents may be given compensation for different types of damages, depending on the degree of negligence and extremities of the injuries sustained by the individuals involved. These damages are generally grouped into:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses include costs for emergency room visits, hospital bills, surgeries and procedures, medications, ongoing care, and future medical bills for treatment of permanent injuries.
• Lost wages and future lost earnings involve any lost income or benefits due to time off work while recovering from injuries and reduced earning capacity if the injury is permanent and affects the ability of the victim to work.
• Rehabilitation and therapy expenses cover costs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, or other forms of rehabilitation that are essential for recovery.
• Property damage consists of damage to the vehicle or any other property of the victim in the accident, such as personal belongings.
• Home modifications and assistive devices include compensation for wheelchairs, ramps, prosthetics, or mobility aids for permanent disabilities.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering involves compensation for the physical pain and discomfort incurred by the victim due to the injuries from the accident.
• Emotional distress includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Reduced quality of life
• Permanent disabilities
• Loss of consortium includes damages for loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy.
• Disfigurement and scarring cover both the physical and emotional toll of living with visible injuries.

Wrongful Death Damages

• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and emotional support
• Funeral and burial costs
• Emotional distress by family members

Punitive Damages

In Colorado, punitive damages may be granted if the court determines that a person or entity acted with recklessness, intentional misconduct, or gross negligence. These damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for their negligent actions such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding or reckless driving and deliberately ignoring construction zone warnings or safety measures.

Contact our Colorado Truck Accident Lawyers

At Bowman Law, our Colorado truck accident lawyers understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial toll truck accidents in construction zones can take. We have extensive knowledge and experience in handling and representing victims of truck-related crashes and securing the settlement they are entitled to. We are committed to holding negligent parties responsible and helping our clients obtain the maximum compensation they need to recover and move forward with their lives.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a collision in a construction zone, our skilled Colorado truck accident lawyers are here to shed light on the complexities of the legal process. We will guide you every step of the way and get the justice you deserve. Contact our law firm at 720-863-6904 for a free evaluation. We will vigorously help you win your case, fight for your rights, and seek just compensation for your complete recovery.

Our office is located in Denver and serves the Front Range, including Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora.