Back in 2012, a Missouri high-school girl lost her life in a traffic accident when she was broadsided by another vehicle as she crossed a four-lane road. The four-lane road was under construction as she was attempting to cross it, and there was evidence submitted that it was difficult to see oncoming traffic because of a construction sign that had been placed there by road crews.
According to a local report, the girl’s family looked to St. Louis County, who hired the allegedly negligent crew, for answers. Just this past week, the County Attorney for St. Louis County approached the County Board and asked for them to approve a $100,000 settlement in order to avoid the ongoing cost of litigation. He claimed that it was a “reasonable amount given the facts and circumstances” of the case.
The lawsuit also named other parties, including the two construction companies who were in charge of the project. The specific theory of liability asserted that the crews were negligent for placing a road sign in the way of motorists’ view, essentially blocking their direct view of oncoming traffic. Furthermore, the suit alleged that the construction crew and the county government actually ignored warnings that the intersection was unsafe due to the placement of the sign.
St. Louis County will be removed from the lawsuit after the settlement is approved. However, the other defendants will still be subject to liability, should the girl’s family prove their case at trial.
Construction-Site Accidents
Construction sites are already dangerous areas, even when they are properly marked. Whether it be uneven pavement, narrow lanes, gravelly surface, or another issue, it takes a certain amount of attention to effectively navigate most construction zones. Some of this is a necessary evil, so to speak, since we all benefit from newly constructed roads.
However, when a construction crew is negligent and makes an error that leads to the injury or death of a motorist, that is unacceptable. Under the law in the District of Columbia, negligent parties can be held liable for their actions, when those actions cause harm to others. In order to recover, an accident victim must prove that the party he or she claims to be at fault was in some way negligent and that the negligence caused the injuries to the victim. This is a traditional “negligence” lawsuit.
Have You been Injured in a Construction Accident?
If you have recently been injured in a construction-zone accident, it may not have been your fault or even the other motorist’s fault. Depending on the facts surrounding the accident, it may be that the construction crew negligently marked the construction zone, or left the roadway in an unsafe condition. If this is the case, you may be entitled to monetary damages to help compensate you for your injuries. To learn more, and to speak to a dedicated DC personal injury attorney, click here, or call 410-654-3600 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
DC Court of Appeals Determines Hospital Is Liable for Conduct of Temporary Nurse, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, July 31, 2014
Staffer to US Senator Dies as a Result of a Hit and Run Accident, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, June 26, 2014
Widow Sues Healthcare Company After Her Husband Dies Due to Malfunctioning Medical Equipment, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, July 17, 2014