Clayton County Georgia Officer Seriously Injured in Crash Confirms Construction Zone Dangers
A Clayton County police officer was seriously injured while working on a construction zone detail late Thursday when his patrol car was rear-ended by a large truck. The officer suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. This tragic accident again demonstrates that construction zones remain one of the most dangerous parts on the roadway for motorists and construction workers.
Despite warning signs, reduced speed limits and increased traffic controls, 720 people are killed and another 40,000 injured in construction zone car crashes each year. Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, has been representing those injured or killed in Atlanta car accidents and Georgia car accidents for over 39 years.
Many drivers assume that the special rules, warning signs, orange cones and other traffic safety measures in construction zones are designed to protect construction workers. However, approximately 85% of those injured or killed in construction zones are drivers or passengers. Additionally, fatality rates for highway workers are twice that of other types of construction jobs. The most common causes of these fatal construction zone car wrecks are speed and lack of attention. While attempts have been made to reduce construction zone accidents including drastic construction zone fine increases, rumble zones and electronic speed displays, studies indicate that on the whole these measures have generally been ineffective in changing drivers' behavior.
Ironically, the one measure that has proven effective in reducing construction zone accidents and construction zone fatalities involves placement of police in marked cars near construction areas. This accident demonstrates that while a visible presence of law enforcement in a construction zone can help, drivers in construction zones must slow down and be vigilant when driving through work zones. We can all work together to reduce Georgia construction zone accident rates by following some simple guidelines:
• Slow down and obey the posted speed limits
• Focus entirely on your driving and do not attempt to "multi-task" (i.e. no cell phone texting or calling)
• Make yourself more visible by keeping your headlights on
• Obey all rules of the road
• Avoid unsafe driving practices like tailgating or sudden lane changes
If drivers take it upon themselves to follow these simple guidelines, we can make Georgia construction work zones safer for motorists, pedestrians and construction zone workers. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we have been representing those seriously injured or killed in serious Georgia car accidents for over 39 years. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a construction zone collision, the experienced construction zone attorneys at Montlick and Associates can help you seek the legal compensation you deserve.
Our experienced Georgia construction zone auto accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Call us today for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or visit us on the web at www.montlick.com. No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.