Recently, a yearlong construction project began near University Drive in Fort Worth. This project aims to add a median, bike lanes, and a traffic signal to the busy Fort Worth street. This should help improve safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
However, construction requires lane closures and issues that can impede traffic. Fort Worth drivers who do not adjust accordingly to issues caused by the construction on University Drive can cause car accidents that result in severe physical injuries.
Fort Worth drivers can cause catastrophic car accidents by driving into construction workers, colliding with construction vehicles, or engaging in reckless driving because of congested traffic. Victims of Fort Worth car accidents can file car accident claims with the liable party to pursue compensation for damages like medical bills, lost wages, and mental anguish.
Why is Construction Happening on University Drive in Fort Worth?
To mitigate car accidents on University Drive, Fort Worth officials have greenlit a yearlong construction project. University Drive is a traffic-heavy street that many Fort Worth residents avoid to prevent suffering a severe car accident injury from a catastrophic crash.
The construction project began in February and should conclude by February 2024. The project will include adding a traffic control signal at Collinsworth Street and replacing the signal at Old University Drive. Construction workers will resurface the pavement along University Drive, re-strip Old Unversity Drive for new bike and parking lanes, and add a median.
While this project is essential for reducing potential car, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents, many citizens are concerned about how lane closures can affect traffic. So far, lane closures have caused congested traffic, leading to severe traffic accidents.
How Can Construction Cause a Car Accident?
The Fort Worth University Drive construction project has led to lane closures on the street leading to Interstate 30. At the beginning of the construction project, University Drive was reduced to just one lane. Now, the street only has two lanes.
These lane closures lead to congested traffic, adding time to Fort Worth residents’ commutes. Frustrated drivers can engage in reckless driving because of their anger regarding slow traffic. These negligent driving behaviors include distracted driving, speeding, and road rage.
Some drivers who do not ordinarily use University Drive may not realize the construction is happening. If they do not keep up to date on lane closures, they may drive on the street without realizing they need to account for construction. This can lead to them crashing into a construction worker or making a hasty maneuver that causes a car accident.
Construction Vehicles Fort Worth Drivers Should Stay on the Lookout For
Fort Worth drivers who have to use University Drive must also account for the construction vehicles that will be present at the construction zones. These large vehicles are used to complete the construction work, and drivers must do their best to avoid them.
There may be situations where these large construction vehicles may be on the road as workers drive them to the construction zones. Drivers who do not pay attention behind the wheel and give them the proper space can cause catastrophic car accidents.
The following are the construction vehicles that may be present on University Driver:
- Articulated haulers
- Bulldozer
- Asphalt pavers
- Dump trucks
- Front loader
- Concrete mixer trucks
- Double drum rollers
- Excavators
How Should Fort Worth Drivers Handle the Construction on University Drive?
Fort Worth drivers must take it upon themselves to drive safely to avoid a car accident on University Drive. There is plenty of information available online from local Fort Worth news outlets about the University Drive construction.
Drivers in Fort Worth should use this information to determine how to approach University Drive. They should prepare for congested traffic, lane closures, and large construction vehicles in the way.
Fort Worth drivers should also prepare themself to sit in a lot of traffic. Many drivers can grow frustrated with slow traffic and engage in reckless driving behavior due to their frustration. A driver prepared to sit in traffic may be better equipped to handle their emotions so they do not get so enraged that they cause a car accident through negligent behavior.
Damages in a Fort Worth Construction Car Accident Claim
Victims of car accidents on University Drive can file car accident claims to pursue compensation for car accident damages. Drivers who engage in reckless driving behavior because of construction-related frustration can be liable for damages in a Fort Worth car accident claim.
Fort Worth car accident victims can pursue compensation for economic damages, which are ones that have a financial value attached to them. They can also seek non-economic damages that affect their quality of life.
The following are the damages Fort Worth car accident victims can pursue:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
How Can a Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Help With Your Claim
If you suffered a Fort Worth car accident on University Drive because of construction, you could file a car accident claim with the at-fault party. Hiring a car accident lawyer can help with the process, as they will have experience and knowledge of Texas car accident laws that can help inform the claim.
The following are some ways a Fort Worth car accident lawyer can help with your construction car accident claim:
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- Determine who caused your Fort Worth car accident
- Explain Texas car accident laws
- Collect evidence to prove the at-fault party’s liability
- Speak to eyewitnesses and expert witnesses
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance provider
- Represent you in court
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Construction Car Accident Claim
At The Russo Firm, our Texas car accident lawyers can assist with your car accident claim caused by a negligent party on University Drive. We can use our decades of experience helping Texas car accident victims devise a personalized legal counsel plan to help with your claim.
Our car accident attorney’s plan can account for the specifics of your case to put you in the best position to recover fair compensatory damages. Contact us for a free Fort Worth car accident consultation at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
