I-465 Construction Zone and Truck Accidents

Interstate 465, also known as The Loop to Indianapolis residents, was completed more than 50 years ago. Unfortunately, I-465 has been the site of many serious car accidents and truck accidents. Work is underway to improve traffic flow and safety on the beltway.

Ongoing construction activity to reconfigure sections of I-465 on the southside of Indianapolis and to widen the interstate on the northeast side of the city present hazards for motorists, truck drivers, and construction workers.

If you have been injured in an I-465 construction zone truck accident in Indianapolis that wasn’t your fault, contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today to discuss the accident with one of our skilled Indianapolis truck accident lawyers. We can help you understand your legal options. We have extensive experience helping people who were injured in highway work zones pursue just compensation to address medical expenses and move forward with their lives.

Causes of Highway Construction Accidents

Many highway construction accidents are caused by drivers who are careless, inattentive or driving too fast for the highway work zone conditions. Road construction companies and government agencies also may fail to establish proper work zone traffic controls in a road work zone and create hazardous conditions that lead to highway accidents.

Some of the most common causes of highway construction zone crashes include:

Confusing construction zones that are difficult to navigate
Lack of warning signage for upcoming lane changes
Inaccurate speed limit signage
Poorly marked lanes
Improperly placed barriers or barrels
Hazardous substances in the road
Debris from the work zone
Construction equipment issues

If you have been injured in a construction zone accident that you did not cause, you may have a right to seek compensation from another motorist, a truck driver, a construction company, or another party that caused the accident.

Why Accidents Happen on I-465

There are many reasons why accidents happen on I-465. It’s one of the busiest interstates in Indianapolis and is congested at certain times of the day. A number of improvement projects are underway or planned for sections of the 53-mile beltway.

Some of the most common reasons why accidents happen on I-465 include:

Distracted driving – It is essential for drivers to remain vigilant as they pass through highway work zones. Unfortunately, drivers sometimes get distracted. A distracted driver may fail to notice warning signs, road hazards, lane mergers, and even construction workers walking near lanes of traffic. Distracted driving frequently contributes to accidents in road work zones.
Speeding – Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions increases the risk of work zone accidents. Drivers who speed may not have sufficient time to slow down or stop if they suddenly encounter an obstruction or threat.
Traffic congestion – I-465 is notorious for its traffic congestion. Traffic congestion can lead to negligent driving actions such as tailgating, sudden stoppages, lane merger issues, and aggressive driving. Traffic congestion is especially heavy at rush hour. Motorists who are anxious to get to their destination may make careless decisions that can lead to a collision.
Large trucks – Large commercial trucks are very common on I-465. Commercial drivers use the interstate as a corridor between Indianapolis and other major cities. In many instances, a truck driver’s failure to slow down and allow adequate following distance contributes to a work zone accident.
Corner-style turns – I-465 has a number of corner-style turns since the road forms more of a rectangle around Indianapolis than a circle. Drivers must take extra care when turning on I-465, especially in the northwest corner of the loop where the interstate links up with I-865.
Construction hazards – Due to continuous construction along I-465, motorists often encounter construction hazards such as equipment, vehicles, barricades, debris, and workers on foot. It is up to construction crews and contractors to ensure that work zones are safe for motorists to pass through.

Because I-465 contains many road work zones, it is crucial for drivers to remain alert. The increase in traffic-related accidents on the interstate over the past decade should serve as a warning to all drivers to be extra careful. Construction activity on I-465 is expected to continue for several years. If you are injured in a crash on I-465 caused by another driver or an unsafe work zone, the attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can help you navigate the aftermath of the accident and seek the compensation you need to move forward.

What Is the I-465 Project?

The Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) Clear Path project is a major project to widen I-465 by adding new lanes and new bridges and rebuilding I-465’s interchange with I-69 in northeast Indianapolis.

The first phase of the project, which involves widening the interstate, will run from 2022 to 2024, while the second phase of the project, reconfiguring the I-69 interchange, will be completed by 2025. The goal of the project is to decrease traffic congestion in that area of the interstate and increase safety for motorists.

Another INDOT project on I-465, which began in 2021, is the I-465 Reconfiguration Project. This project is occurring on the opposite side of the city in Marion County. There are two sections of highway being reconfigured, known as Section A/B and Section C

The work in Section A/B will expand I-465 by adding auxiliary lanes with retaining walls on both sides of the highway. Work on this stretch begins just west of the I-465/US-31 interchange and ends with the interchange at I-465/I-65.

INDOT will also reconfigure I-465 on the eastbound side up to the northbound US 31 exit ramp, extend the highway entrance lane from southbound US 31 to eastbound 1-465, and extend southbound US 31 to eastbound I-465. Several bridges in Section A/B will also be replaced, including the bridges at Madison Avenue, Carson Avenue, and Keystone Avenue.

The other section of the project, Section C, starts near the I-465/I-70 interchange and extends to the area around the Mann Road interchange. The goal of the construction on Section C will be to add new lanes, replace old pavement on the shoulders, and replace the Mooresville Road Bypass bridge.

Past Accidents on I-465

Some of the most severe truck crashes in the Indianapolis area have occurred on I-465. Some recent truck accidents that occurred on the interstate include the following:

Three westbound lanes were shut down when a large tractor-trailer rolled over in an area where construction on I-465 was occurring.
Two men were killed after their van crashed into a stopped semi-truck on I-465 at night. The van, a full-sized cargo van, collided with the back of the truck’s trailer. The truck driver had pulled off the shoulder due to a mechanical problem.
A truck driver was killed in a semi-truck rollover accident on I-465. The driver had struck a utility pole along the interstate before their truck rolled over. Due to low-hanging electrical wires, the interstate had to be shut down until the roadway could be cleared.

There are steps motorists and truck drivers can take to reduce the risk of road construction accidents.

How to Prevent Highway Construction Accidents

Consider following these safety tips to protect yourself, your passengers, and other motorists when driving through a highway construction zone:

Avoid speeding – There’s a reason why traffic fines are higher in construction zones. Drivers who speed have less time to react to traffic changes in work zones and are more likely to cause accidents. Follow the posted speed limit in a work zone, and reduce your speed to account for hazardous conditions. The consequences of speeding in a construction zone are highly dangerous.
Don’t get distracted – Remain alert when passing through a road work zone. Do not get distracted by texting, talking on the phone, talking to passengers, eating and drinking, or any other activity while you are in the work zone.
Maintain a safe following distance – Highway work zones contain so many potential hazards. If you are following another vehicle too closely and they suddenly brake, you might not have sufficient time to slow down before you rear-end them.
Pay attention to warning signs – Follow all traffic signs posted in the construction zone, including notices about lane changes and speed limit changes.

If you have been injured in a truck accident that occurred in a construction zone, you should consult with a knowledgeable truck accident attorney right away. Commercial truck accidents are complicated to resolve. This is especially true when the accident occurs in a construction zone. Driver negligence is often to blame for highway work zone accidents. It is also possible that construction companies or a government agency responsible for maintaining a road could be liable as well.

Call a Construction Zone Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a truck accident on I-465 in Indianapolis, contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today. Our Indiana truck accident lawyers have the resources to investigate the accident, identify all potentially liable parties, calculate the value of your claim, handle communications with the insurance company, and vigorously seek the fair settlement you need to get your life back on track.

Contact us today for a free consultation.