Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on January 31, 2016
Road Crew Workers Injured on Saturday after Semi-Truck Hits Overpass
Two construction workers who were working on an overpass at the Interstate 440/Interstate 65 interchange in Nashville were injured when a semi-truck struck the scaffolding the men were standing on.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the top of the semi-truck collided with the bottom of the scaffolding, which caused it to partially detached from the overpass where it had been previously secured.
A sergeant with the Tennessee Highway Patrol told reporters that the impact of the collision and the loosening of the scaffolding caused one of the workers to fall, but both suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident and were transported to local hospitals.
The accident caused the truck to sustain major damage, with its entire top peeling off as a result of impacting the bottom of the scaffolding.
The THP is still investigating the accident to determine how and why it happened.
U.S. Department of Transportation Tips for Driving near Road Work Zones
Road work is common in Middle Tennessee—especially in areas with booming populations. Over time, vehicles put more and more stress on asphalt, bridges, and overpasses, and repairs are needed to maintain that infrastructure. However, those essential repairs can also put both drivers and road crews in danger of being involved in accidents.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and our Nashville auto accident attorneys recommend that drivers follow these tips to increase their safety while driving near road work zones:
Driving through road work zones can be unpredictable, as traffic may be rerouted, lanes can suddenly shift, and detours can suddenly involve sharp turns. As a driver, it’s your responsibility to stay alert and cautious when driving through road work zones by watching for and obeying posted signs, watching for brake lights on vehicles in front of you, and watching for the presence of road crew workers.
Many accidents in road work zones occur when drivers fail to heed warning signs that indicate their lanes are about to shift or end. If you see a sign that indicates you should change lanes or that your lane is ending, move over as soon as it is safe to do so. Waiting until the last minute can put you at serious risk of being hit from behind by another vehicle.
The speed limits in road work zones can be significantly lower than the speed limits in non-road work zones. If you’re not careful, you can easily exceed the speed limit by 20 or even 30 miles per hour in a road work zone by not paying attention to posted speed limit signs. When you slow down to match the posted speed limit, keep in mind that you’re required by law to drive at or under the limit for the entire length of the road work zone area, as workers can be present anywhere that repairs or construction is taking place.
In addition to the tips above, it’s also important to avoid distractions while driving through road work areas. Traffic is often at a higher volume when road work is taking place, and shoulders may be unavailable for vehicles. That means taking your eyes off the road for even a split second can cause you to hit another vehicle from behind and even cause a multi-vehicle pile-up accident.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville car accident lawyers know that road work accidents are often the result of drivers who are careless, not paying attention, or otherwise negligent in fulfilling their safe driving responsibilities. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident in a road work zone, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs. To find out how our law firm can fight for your rights, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
