How these crashes happen
- Advance warning signs are missing, fallen over, or blocked by equipment.
- Detour signs send drivers the wrong way or end without direction.
- Signs from an earlier phase of the project are left up and contradict the current layout.
- A flagger gives unclear or conflicting directions.
- Signs and devices are not lit or reflective enough to be seen at night.
Who may be responsible
The contractor
The company running the zone is typically responsible for placing, maintaining, and updating the signs and devices called for in the traffic control plan.
A traffic control subcontractor
Many projects hire a separate company to set up and maintain signs, cones, and flaggers.
A government agency
The agency that approved the plan or inspects the project may share responsibility. Claims against public entities have their own rules.
Evidence that matters
- Photos or video of the approach to the zone, showing what signs were and were not there
- The date, time, and lighting conditions
- Witnesses who drove through the same zone
- The police crash report
- Any earlier complaints or crashes at the same location
Work zones change from day to day. If you can do so safely, capture the scene before it changes, and follow these steps.
Common questions
How do I prove what the signs looked like that day?
Photos and dashcam video are the best evidence, and the sooner they are captured the better. Contractors also keep records of their traffic control setup and inspections, which can be requested in a claim.
The zone has already changed. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. Project records, inspection logs, and witnesses can help reconstruct the layout. Acting quickly helps preserve them.