Mississippi Work Zone Car Accident Attorney Fighting for the Rights of the Injured

Comprehensive representation for car accident victims throughout the Gulf coast area

When you are driving along the highway and you see that orange, diamond-shaped sign warning of “Road Work Ahead,” hopefully you are one of those drivers that heeds that warning, slows down and becomes more alert to your surroundings. Sometimes, other drivers fail to heed the warning accidents can happen in highway construction work zones due to the confusion that comes when the orange or yellow cones appear, there are flashing lights and the paint on the pavement might be going in directions that do not make sense. At night, work zones are even more treacherous because it is dark.

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., our Mississippi work zone accident attorneys are strong advocates for the rights of those who have been injured in car crashes in highway or road construction zone accidents. If your injuries were because of the negligence of another driver, or because of hazardous conditions in the work zone, we can help you recover the compensation you need.

Work zone crash statistics

In 2016, Work Zone Safety reports that there were 683 work zone crashes in the United States with 765 fatalities, of those deaths 143 were construction workers and 109 were pedestrian fatalities. In Mississippi, there were 4 fatal crashes with 7 fatalities two of which were construction workers.

What are the causes of work zone crashes?

Often, work zone crashes occur because drivers are not alert to the changes going on around them. Some of the more common causes of crashes at roadway construction sites include:

• Speeding
• Not heeding warning signs
• Distracted driving
• Failure to merge with the flow of traffic
• Rear-ending the vehicle ahead because the driver did not notice the traffic slowdown
• Bright lights on construction site impeding drivers’ vision at night

Work zone safety in Mississippi

Mississippi News Now reports that the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is urging drivers to use caution in work zones. MDOT reports that about 75 percent of their employees works on the front lines building highways and infrastructure inches from oncoming traffic. MDOT District Engineer Brian Ratliff said in the news story:

We see distracted driving all the time and it’s getting worse each day. Distracted driving is one, speeding is another. It’s night work where we’ve seen alcohol related crashes out there. We have to deal with a lot of different issues that cause accidents out there.” MDOT officials put up signs warning motorists of approaching work zones, and they advise drivers to maintain a safe following distance between themselves and the vehicles in front of them because road conditions can change much faster than a drive may have time to react to.

How can an attorney help when you have been injured in a work zone crash?

If you were injured in a work zone crash, you know firsthand how confusing the scene was. Sorting out which driver was at fault, or if negligence on the part of the construction company contributed to causing the crash is a challenging task. Therefore, you will benefit from working with an experienced Mississippi work zone accident lawyer.

We work with investigators to determine the cause and hold the negligent party accountable. When Merkel & Cocke are on your side, you can feel confident that you are being represented by a professional team of injury attorneys with a solid reputation to excellent client care, and for recovering fair compensation for our clients.

How much is my construction zone crash injury case worth?

Given that every case is different, we cannot tell you exactly how much your case is worth, but we can look at the details of the crash, consider your medical records and the extent of your injuries to develop a ballpark estimate of what amount your case could potentially settle for. Some of the types of damages you might expect to recover in a work zone crash injury claim include:

• Payment of your medical expenses related to the injury now and for future medical care
• Lost wages for time lost at work recovering from your injuries
• Disfigurement from your accident injuries
• Diminished earning capacity when your injury precludes you from performing your job duties
• Pain and suffering from your injuries
• Emotional distress from the stress and trauma of the accident

Those whose negligence leads to another person’s injuries should be held accountable. The Mississippi car crash lawyers of Merkel & Cocke are here to fight for your right to fair recovery when your injury is because of someone else’s negligence.

Schedule your free consultation with an experienced Mississippi car crash attorney

When you have sustained a serious injury in a car accident, you can call a seasoned law firm with a reputation for providing excellent legal services. The injury legal team of Merkel & Cocke is committed to seeking justice for those injured in car crashes throughout Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. You are welcome to contact us today to schedule a free consultation at our home office in Clarkdale. Call us at 662-627-9641 or complete our contact form now.