When drivers ignore clearly marked no-pass zones, the results can be life-changing, especially for people working on or near the roadway. An Energy city worker operating a roadside tractor was recently injured when a driver passed other vehicles illegally and failed to slow down, colliding with the tractor.
Drivers often engage in reckless behaviors, such as passing in a no-zone, despite knowing the risks; as is highlighted by the numbers from this year’s Speed Awareness Day. During the campaign, there were 4,140 warnings issued, 5,189 tickets issued, and 248 traffic arrests. A single reckless decision behind the wheel can cause serious harm.
Those injured in such accidents shouldn’t have to bear the financial fallout on their own, however. If you’ve suffered harm in a crash caused by a reckless driver, contact our Chicago accident injury lawyers at Lloyd Miller Law Group, 773-838-8100.
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Illinois No-Pass Zone Laws
Illinois has no-pass zone laws in place to prevent precisely the type of crash this city worker experienced. These protections apply across the state, from rural highways to urban streets.
Why No-Pass Zones Are Marked and Enforced
No-pass zones are placed where overtaking another vehicle would create an unreasonable risk, such as blind curves, hills, intersections, and work zones. Passing in these areas endangers everyone, but especially roadside workers who may have little protection against a vehicle strike.
Work-Zone Specific Traffic Rules in Illinois
Illinois law increases driver responsibilities in work zones. Passing is prohibited where marked, speed limits are reduced, and drivers must use due caution when approaching workers. Violating these rules not only increases the likelihood of serious injury, but can also be used as strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.
Determining Fault in a Work Zone Collision
Assigning fault in a work zone accident requires a close look at every factor that contributed to the crash. In most cases, the driver who passed illegally will bear the bulk of responsibility, but other parties can sometimes share liability.
Primary Liability of the Negligent Driver
Drivers who cross a no-pass zone and fail to slow down in a work area are almost always found at fault. Their decision to break the law directly creates the dangerous situation that leads to injury.
Potential Shared Responsibility of Others
In some Illinois work zone accidents, other parties may also have legal liability:
- A municipal department or contractor that failed to post adequate warning signs or cones
- A company that supplied defective or unsafe equipment
- Third-party drivers whose actions contributed to the crash sequence
A thorough investigation can uncover these additional defendants, increasing the available sources of compensation for the injured worker.
Proving Negligence in Illinois Personal Injury Claims
Negligence is the legal foundation of most personal injury cases in Illinois. To win, we must show that the at-fault party failed to act as a reasonably careful person would in the same situation, and that this failure caused the injury.
How a No-Pass Zone Violation Supports a Claim
When a driver violates a traffic safety law, such as passing in a marked no-pass zone, that violation can help establish negligence. In Illinois, this concept, called negligence per se, can make it easier to prove fault when the broken law was intended to prevent the type of harm that occurred.
The driver in the recent no-passing zone collision received two citations after hitting a city employee. The citations were for passing in a no-passing zone and for not slowing down to avoid a crash. If the city worker chooses to pursue legal action, these violations may aid in establishing fault.
Using Additional Safety Violations as Evidence
If a work zone was set up in violation of safety regulations, or if equipment wasn’t maintained according to state standards, these failures can also be used to show negligence. An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer will often help gather records, maintenance logs, and traffic control plans to identify these issues.
Compensation for Injured Illinois City Workers
City workers injured in roadway accidents have two legal avenues: workers’ compensation and third-party personal injury claims. Each offers different forms of recovery, and in many cases, both can be pursued together.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation generally pays for medical care and a portion of lost wages, regardless of fault. While this provides important financial support, it does not fully compensate for pain, suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
While you typically cannot sue your employer for an injury on the job, if a negligent driver or another third party caused your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover full damages. Such damages may include all of your medical expenses and any future treatment you might need, as well as the total income you’ve lost, which goes beyond what workers’ compensation might cover. A personal injury claim can also seek compensation for your pain and suffering and for any damages related to a permanent disability or a reduced quality of life.
The Real-World Impact of Illinois Work Zone Negligence
Roadside work zones are dangerous environments. Workers operate large equipment close to moving traffic, often with minimal physical barriers. A single reckless driver can cause injuries that lead to months of medical treatment, long-term disabilities, and lost income.
Physical, Financial, and Emotional Toll
The effects of a car crash on the human body can be extreme. Injuries from work zone crashes can range from fractures and spinal injuries to traumatic brain injuries. Beyond the physical harm, injured workers may face mounting bills, inability to work, and strain on their families. These damages are exactly why Illinois law allows victims to pursue compensation from negligent parties.
Protecting the Rights of Injured Workers in Chicago
When a driver ignores traffic laws and causes harm, the consequences can be life-changing for the injured worker and their family. City employees, contractors, and anyone working along Illinois roadways should not have to face financial and personal struggles because someone else chose to drive recklessly.
At Lloyd Miller Law Group, we represent injured workers across Chicago and throughout Illinois. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a work zone, on the road, or while operating equipment because of another driver’s negligence, you may have options for recovery. We can walk you through the claims process, explain how Illinois law applies to your case, and fight to secure the compensation you need to move forward.
To discuss your situation with an attorney, contact our Chicago office at 733-838-8100 today.
