Summer Road Construction & Car Accidents: Who’s Liable When a Work Zone Crash Happens in Nevada?

As the heat of the summer is approaching in Nevada, so is the familiar sight of road construction on the highways and roadsides. While these projects are important, they often increase the risk of accidents for drivers. Narrowed lanes, unexpected detours, and sudden lane shifts often lead to confusion while driving and cause car accidents. 

When a car crash happens in or near a work zone, it’s often important to determine who is liable for that collision, as multiple parties could be at fault. It could be negligent drivers, construction companies, or sometimes both of these parties can be at fault. 

However, as every situation is unique, liability will depend on the circumstances surrounding the crash. If you’ve been in a car crash, our team of lawyers at Bradley Drendel & Jeanney can help you understand who is liable for the accident through this blog. 

What Causes Car Accidents in Construction Zones in Nevada?

Every year, hundreds of car crashes occur near work construction zones, resulting in injuries and sometimes death. In Nevada, during the summer months, we often see construction activity at its peak. 

Especially on busy roads like the Spaghetti Bowl interchange and US-395, there might be cones, signage, equipment, and personnel, making driving more complex. This can often result in reduced visibility and aggressive and distracted driving, causing accidents like: 

• Rear-end collisions due to sudden braking,
• Sideswipes due to unsafe lane changes,
• Collision due to confusion among drivers due to insufficient signage and lighting.
• Car crashes due to poor road maintenance in construction areas.

Once you’ve understood the cause of the accident, your next step would be to determine who is liable for the accident.

Who Is Responsible For a Work Zone Car Crash in Nevada?

Nevada follows a “modified comparative negligence rule” for accident cases. This means multiple parties can share fault, and if you’re at fault for an accident, the amount of compensation you can get depends on the part of the blame you share in the accident. 

For instance, if you’re more than 50% at fault, you won’t get any compensation at all. However, at first, you need to understand who is at fault for the accident.

• Negligent Drivers

Usually, the majority of car crashes happen due to drivers who fail to follow posted construction zone rules. The common causes can include cases of speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, and ignoring signage. If you’ve been in a car crash in a work zone due to another driver’s fault, you can hold the driver responsible for the damages you might have suffered.

• Third-Party Contractors

In some projects, subcontractors, vendors, and traffic control services are involved in the construction area. Failing to address traffic problems or to maintain equipment safety can easily cause serious car accidents. If their negligence causes a car crash that harms you, you can sue them for the losses you suffered.

• Utility Companies

If the utility work, like gas, electric, or water line maintenance in the construction zone, creates unsafe road conditions due to a lack of proper warnings, it can cause car crashes. If this is the case, you can get fair compensation by proving that the company was at fault.

Importance of Legal Guidance After an Accident

We know that dealing with the aftermath of an overwhelming car crash in a construction zone is not easy. You might:

• Need immediate medical attention, 
• Go through the mental trauma of missing work and
• Wonder how you can recover from the damage caused by the accident.

But when it comes to handling the complex legal procedures of understanding and taking steps against the person liable for the accident, you won’t have to deal with it alone. You can get help from a professional and reputable accident lawyer who can take care of the legal processes while you take care of yourself. 

At Bradley Drendel & Jeanney, our accident attorney can help you with the necessary paperwork, deal with the insurance company of the party at fault, represent you in court (if necessary), and get you the compensation you deserve quickly without you having to carry the weight of it all yourself. 

How To Prove Liability After a Car Accident?

If you’ve been in a car wreck that happened near a road construction zone, you may be wondering if you have a legal case or not. As per Nevada law, if you can prove that your car crash occurred due to someone else’s negligence, you can pursue compensation with the help of an accident lawyer in Reno. Your lawyer has to prove in court:

• Breach of Duty of Care: The person you’re holding responsible (such as the driver, construction firm, or third-party contractors) had a legal obligation to keep the area safe. Your lawyer will help you gather sufficient proof to establish that they owe you a legal duty of care and that they have violated this duty, which caused the accident.
• Causation: Proving only unsafe road conditions might not be enough in certain cases. Your lawyer will need to prove to the court that there’s a direct relation between the negligence of the party at fault and the car crash in the construction area.
• Evidence of Damage: Your accident attorney in Reno will need to prove that you suffered physically or mentally, or that there is property damage due to the car accident. For this, you need to gather proof, like photos from the accident, police reports, eyewitness statements, and medical records.

In cases like accidents caused by defective vehicle parts, you might not have to prove negligence due to the strict laws of liability applied in those cases. At Bradley Drendel & Jeanney, we will help you fight for your compensation using our decades of experience and strong network.

Helping Nevada Secure Justice After Car Accidents Since 1957

For nearly 70 decades, Bradley Drendel & Jeanney has been the law firm that Nevadans trust for legal support after serious car accidents. For generations, we have been helping individuals and families in Nevada recover from devastating car accidents caused by the negligence of others.

We understand that a car crash can leave you overwhelmed and confused about what steps to take next. That is why we’re here to help prove liability and fight for full compensation using our legal excellence and commitment to bringing you the justice you deserve.

Book a Free Consultation With An Accident Lawyer Now!

Takeaway

If you’ve been in a car accident in a construction area due to someone else’s negligence, you can sue one or multiple parties who are at fault. This can include a negligent driver, construction companies, vehicle manufacturers, third-party contractors, or utility companies. 

To prove liability, you can take legal help from an accident lawyer in Reno. 

They can help you have a solid case against the party at fault by establishing causation, gathering evidence, and showing how their actions directly harmed you. With nearly 70 years of experience in handling car accident cases in Nevada, Bradley Drendel & Jeanney can help you with the legal expertise needed to make a strong case and get you fair compensation. 

Fight For Your Rights After a Car Crash With Our Seasoned Lawyers at Bradley Drendel & Jeanney

At Bradley Drendel & Jeanney, we have been offering legal guidance to clients involved in work-zone car accidents since 1957. You can trust us to fight your legal battles efficiently so that you can focus on your recovery. We are your reliable partners in helping you obtain fair compensation after a car wreck. 

When you choose our accident lawyer in Reno, you can expect them to aggressively fight for you and use strategic negotiations and mediation to protect your rights. No case is too complex for us to handle or win. 

Until we win your case, you won’t have to pay us any fees. So, if you need an accident attorney in Reno, call us now at 775-335-9999 today!