$29,700,000 settlement secured following crash caused by confusing construction site

Over the last 25 years, Attorney Thomas Scolaro has obtained record recoveries in road construction cases in Miami, South Florida and throughout Florida. Below are recent results secured by Scolaro Law’s team in road construction cases on behalf of injured clients and their families:

Confusing highway construction site results in $29,700,000 settlement

Attorney Thomas Scolaro’s client was driving in the right lane of a four-lane highway when he approached an overpass under construction. Simultaneously, a temporary traffic signal on the opposite side of the overpass turned red. However, the signal was obstructed by the overpass, making it impossible for our client to see the red light, let alone react promptly by slowing down or stopping. Meanwhile, vehicles with the green light proceeded across the highway, into our client’s lane, causing a horrific collision resulting in catastrophic traumatic brain injuries to our client.

At the beginning of his emergency hospitalization, our injured client was in an induced coma for several days. He underwent multiple surgical procedures to repair his many orthopedic injuries. Ultimately, after months of therapy and rehabilitation, our client was left disabled, unable to care for himself, and needing help around the clock. His parents took him in with them and sought legal representation. After being turned down by several personal injury law firms, some more prominent than others, the family connected with Tom Scolaro, who identified several viable causes of action and immediately sprang into action.

After a thorough investigation into all possible defendants, a lawsuit was filed against all responsible parties. Tom and his team of renowned experts inspected the scene and, through litigation, discovered that not only did the placement of the temporary traffic signal violate multiple safety standards, but our client was not the first victim of this dangerous and confusing roadway signage. Prior to our client’s near-fatal accident, there were similar, albeit less severe, incidents and at least fifteen motorist complaints to various responsible entities. The road construction companies’ numerous violations of safety regulations and their blatant disregard for motorist safety led to an eight-figure pre-trial settlement on behalf of our client’s family.

Severe injuries to passengers whose vehicle struck steel pipes in unmarked construction zone resulted in $1,300,000 settlement

Despite many verbal warnings, the general contractor and the inspector for the road contractor of a highway Apex failed to correct confusing markings at the entrance of a road construction zone. Instead of marking or blocking off the entrance to the site with any sort of traffic barrels or barricades as was required by safety regulations, the Apex looked like it was another lane of travel on a highway where motorists travel at 65 mph. Leaving the entrance to the construction zone wide open created a very confusing situation and the “perfect” dangerous trap for unsuspecting motorists.

Our clients were passengers in a vehicle that unknowingly drove into the construction zone that was hazardously and recklessly left wide open. At 70 mph, our clients’ car plowed head-on into a pile of steel drilling pipes. Our investigation uncovered key witnesses who testified that there were no lights illuminating the construction zone, no workers were working on the site at the time, and no barricades or barrels were in front of the entrance to this construction zone. The injuries to our clients were thankfully not life threatening, yet in less than 18 months, Tom Scolaro secured a $1,300,000 settlement.

Road and highway construction site liability – The road to winning begins with knowing the usual suspects

Miami drivers and Florida drivers at large are well aware of the perpetual construction plaguing our city roads and highways. At the time of this blog, there are 39 ongoing major highway construction sites throughout Florida. These zones are frustrating for motorists and pedestrians alike and without absolute compliance by general contractors and subcontractors to safety regulations, they pose significant dangers. Warning signs, flow of traffic, changing traffic patterns, poor visibility, narrowed lanes, road surface conditions, construction equipment, worker presence, traffic signage and barriers, debris and obstacles, and intermittent closures are all contributing factors to a hazardous environment where accidents leading to injuries or wrongful death are unfortunately well too common and foreseeable.

Moreover, the inherent risks of construction work are exacerbated within these zones. Workers contend with heavy machinery and vehicles, increasing the likelihood of accidents involving collisions or falling debris. Furthermore, the proximity to live traffic leaves workers vulnerable to being struck by passing vehicles, while hidden dangers such as uncovered utility access points and uneven surfaces further elevate the risk.

Almost 40,000 injuries are reported annually at road construction sites nationwide. Despite efforts to mitigate risks such as safety rules and regulations, safety policies and procedures and protocols, there are more than 100 road construction site accidents every day where negligence and recklessness are the main or contributing factors.

Retaining a Florida attorney with experience handling incidents caused by confusing road construction site is paramount

Contractors and construction workers alike know that adherence to traffic regulations and safety protocols is imperative for the safety of motorists. Our team has over 100 years of collective experience representing injured clients, and we are committed to obtaining the best results in every case. If you were involved in an incident while maneuvering through a construction site, it is crucial to understand your legal options. Reach out to Scolaro Law by filling out our online inquiry form or by calling our offices at (305) 424-2300. We are a trial lawyer firm based in Miami, Florida, and we litigate throughout the entire state of Florida.