St. Louis, MO I-44 Construction Accidents

The high speeds that vehicles travel on Interstate 44 in St. Louis make any car accident potentially serious. When drivers encounter highway construction zones along I-44 with narrowed lanes, traffic mergers, and sudden stoppages, the risk of accidents increases. Construction zone crashes involving large trucks are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries.

The St. Louis, Missouri car accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC want to help you seek full compensation if you’ve been hurt in an I-44 construction zone accident. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys have been helping crash victims pursue just compensation after car accidents since 1999. We have the resources and experience to help.

Contact the St. Louis law office of Craig, Kelley & Faultless today for a free initial consultation.

What Is Interstate 44 in St. Louis, Missouri?

Interstate 44 is a major interstate that runs diagonally across Missouri. The interstate runs from downtown St. Louis to the Oklahoma border.  Interstate 44 connects to Interstate 70 in St. Louis.

As one of the major interstates running through the St. Louis metro area, I-44 requires frequent maintenance and improvements, which makes construction zones a common sight for drivers.

Most Dangerous Intersections in St. Louis

According to Time Magazine, St. Louis is home to one of the most dangerous intersections in the entire United States. The intersection in question is at the corner of North Grand Boulevard and Montgomery Street, where there were six fatal accidents during a 10-year period. Many of the most dangerous intersections are interchanges where interstates meet smaller roads.

There are two intersections involving Interstate 44 on the list:

• Interstate 44 and Jefferson Avenue
• Interstate 44 and Hampton Avenue
• Interstate 55 and Park Avenue
• Interstate 60 and Grand Avenue
• Interstate 64 and Grand Boulevard
• Interstate 64 and Kings highway Boulevard
• Interstate 64 and Hampton Avenue
• Interstate 70 and Salisbury Street

It’s safe to say that accidents are common on I-44 in St. Louis.

Interstate 44 Construction Accident Statistics

According to information from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 18,760 crashes on interstate highways across the state in a recent year. These crashes killed 101 people and left another 5,672 people injured.

An I-44 planning study by the Missouri Department of Transportation said that overall I-44 has lower crash and injury rates than the average for interstates in Missouri. However, the fatality rate is higher on the I-44 corridor than the Missouri state average for interstates.

The severity of crashes along I-44 is of more concern than the raw number of crashes, the study said.

Missouri had 13 fatal crashes in construction zones in 2019, the most recent year of complete information, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information. The crashes resulted in 19 deaths. Clearinghouse. Four of the 13 fatal work zone crashes involved large trucks.

Common Causes of Accidents in Roadway Construction

There are many ways a construction zone can disrupt normal traffic flow and cause an accident. Some of the common causes of car accidents in road work zones include:

• Confusing lane markers — When a road is under construction, it’s often necessary to adjust the flow of traffic by closing lanes and diverting vehicles to other lanes. That requires putting up markers to delineate the new lanes. If the lane markings are not clear, they can confuse drivers and contribute to accidents.
• Inadequate warning signs — If a road improvement project requires a change to the normal flow of traffic, the drivers need plenty of advance warning so they can make the necessary adjustments. A lack of warning signs could leave drivers without sufficient time to slow down and change lanes when required as they travel through a work zone.
• Incomplete or missing lane markers — Construction crews are not always careful about making sure altered lanes in a work zone are properly marked. Without lane markings, drivers may collide with other vehicles around them.
• Construction vehicles in the roadway — Heavy construction equipment can be difficult to maneuver, especially in the confines of a work zone. If equipment operators aren’t careful when moving these vehicles, they may enter the roadway as other cars are passing, leading to a crash.
• Debris or other objects in the road — Loose equipment and other debris in a work zone can cause a crash if drivers swerve to avoid the hazard or hit it and lose control.
• Incorrect speed limit signs — Speed limits are generally reduced in work zones. If drivers fail to slow down as required or speed limit signs are missing, a crash is more likely to occur. Many construction zone crashes occur because of vehicles traveling at varying speeds as they enter a work zone.

Types of Road Debris That Can Cause a St. Louis Car Accident

There are all kinds of debris and other hazards that can lead to a crash if you’re passing through a work zone. Some of the most common types are:

• Construction barrels and traffic cones
• Concrete barriers
• Debris from vehicles such as tire treads
• Loose dirt and rocks
• Spilled cargo from semi-trucks

Finding Liability for a Construction Zone Accident in I-44 St. Louis

If you have been involved in a construction zone on I-44 in St. Louis, there are several parties who may potentially be liable for the injuries you’ve suffered. Determining liability for a construction zone accident can require a detailed investigation.
Those who may be at fault include:

• A negligent driver
• A highway construction company in charge of setting up the work zone
• Architects and engineers responsible for designing the project and for providing adequate warning for drivers
• Companies who make construction equipment used in the work zone

If you’re not sure who may be liable for your injuries, contact a St. Louis construction zone accident lawyer right away.

Call a Construction Accidents Lawyer Today!

Determining who is financially liable for your injuries in a construction accident can be a challenge. Financial liability may be shared by several parties. You need the help of St. Louis personal injury attorneys who have experience investigating complex traffic accidents.

The St. Louis construction accident attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC are ready to help with your case. You can learn about our legal services and how we may assist you by scheduling a free consultation. Contact our office for more information.