Road construction is everywhere in Lafayette — from Johnston Street to Ambassador Caffery Parkway, I-10, and the Evangeline Thruway. When work zones are set up or driven through carelessly, serious work zone and road-construction accidents in Lafayette follow. Narrowed lanes, sudden stops, heavy machinery, and distracted motorists make these areas especially dangerous. Crashes are especially common during rush-hour traffic or major events like Festival International and Cajundome concerts, when congestion makes mistakes even more costly.

At Brandt & Sherman, we’ve been standing up to insurance Goliaths in Louisiana for more than 50 years. We know how to hold negligent drivers, careless contractors, and poorly trained or inadequately supervised construction crews accountable when their mistakes cause harm. You’ll never pay a fee unless we win your case.

Why Work Zone Crashes Are So Dangerous

Work zones create conditions unlike normal roads. Sudden lane shifts, reduced speed limits, flaggers, and heavy machinery can catch drivers off guard. On I-10 or Johnston Street during peak hours, a single mistake can trigger a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles. Speeding, distracted driving, or debris left in traffic lanes only further increases crash risk.

Because crews often move equipment, signs, and barriers daily, the layout of a work zone may change without warning. That unpredictability makes collisions more likely — and also makes fast legal action critical before evidence disappears.  Our distracted driving accident lawyers in Lafayette also see distraction as a leading factor in these crashes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Work Zone Accident

Who’s liable for a work zone crash in Louisiana? The at-fault driver is usually responsible, but contractors, subcontractors, equipment operators, suppliers, and—even in limited cases—government entities can share fault when traffic control plans, signage, or setups are unsafe. Determining fault in a work zone crash often means looking beyond the drivers. Negligent motorists who speed, ignore flaggers, or text behind the wheel cause many accidents. But liability may also extend to:

• Contractors who fail to post warnings, set proper detours, or train crews.
• Subcontractors who leave equipment or materials in travel lanes.
• Equipment operators who position machinery too close to traffic.
• Material suppliers who improperly deliver or store construction supplies.
• Government agencies responsible for unsafe traffic control plans or poorly designed detours.

When commercial trucks are involved, liability may also fall on the carrier or its insurers. Our truck accident attorneys in Louisiana investigate every angle to uncover all responsible parties.

Louisiana Work Zone Safety Laws

Louisiana law (RS 32:57.1) recognizes the heightened danger of road construction zones and imposes strict requirements on drivers. Motorists must obey reduced speed limits, put down cell phones, and follow the instructions of flaggers, who have the same authority as official traffic signals. These rules are designed to protect both workers and drivers, and violations can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in an accident claim.

The penalties for breaking the law in active work zones are severe. Fines are automatically doubled, and reckless conduct that causes injury may trigger license suspension, criminal charges, or even jail time. Judges often impose stricter sentences when crashes occur in designated construction areas. By holding drivers to higher standards, Louisiana law underscores just how dangerous and preventable work zone accidents can be.

Injuries From Work Zone & Construction Zone Accidents

Because work zone crashes often happen at full speed, injuries tend to be severe. Victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal injuries, or burns from secondary collisions. Sadly, some accidents are fatal, leaving families to pursue wrongful death claims.

If your injuries were caused by a negligent driver or unsafe construction zone, our Lafayette car accident lawyers can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Injured Construction Workers in Lafayette

Construction workers are among the most vulnerable people in work zones. If you were struck while working on a road crew, you may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury case against a negligent driver, contractor, or third party. Our attorneys evaluate both options to maximize your recovery and ensure no benefits are left on the table.

What to Do After a Work Zone Accident

After a crash, your first priority is safety and medical care. Once stable:

• Report the accident to police and request an official crash report.
• Document the scene with photos of vehicles, signage, barriers, and debris.
• Note unusual hazards, such as missing cones or misplaced equipment.
• Collect witness information, including construction workers present.
• Preserve digital evidence like dashcam footage or app data.

Because contractors may move crews and equipment within hours, acting quickly is essential. Our attorneys step in fast to secure permits, traffic control plans, and crew logs before they disappear.

Compensation After a Work Zone Accident

Victims of work zone crashes may recover compensation for:

• Medical bills, including future treatment and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability
• Pain and suffering, including emotional trauma
• Vehicle repairs or replacement
• Wrongful death damages such as funeral expenses, loss of support, and companionship

Insurance companies often try to downplay work zone crashes by blaming multiple parties. We work with medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and economists to prove the full value of your claim so insurers cannot minimize your losses.

How We Build Your Case

Our Lafayette work zone accident lawyers act immediately to protect your rights. We gather police and DOT reports, request construction safety records, analyze vehicle black box data, and consult with reconstruction experts. Within the first 48 hours, we move fast to preserve traffic control plans, request DOT/MUTCD records, and secure dashcam or EDR data before it disappears. By creating a clear picture of how the crash occurred, we hold both negligent drivers and construction companies accountable. If insurers refuse to pay fairly, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.

Staying Safe in Lafayette Work Zones

While drivers cannot always avoid construction areas, they can take steps to reduce risks. Slowing down, silencing phones, leaving extra following distance, and carefully following flagger directions can prevent many accidents. Unfortunately, not every driver makes safe choices — which is why crashes still happen. When others break the rules, our Lafayette car accident lawyers step in to hold them accountable.

Why Choose Brandt & Sherman

Selected by Louisiana clients for 50+ years, with trial-ready resources and a history of seven-figure roadway recoveries. We’ve helped Louisiana families go toe-to-toe with insurers and corporations after serious crashes. We know the Lafayette roadways and work zones where accidents often occur, and we bring the trial experience and resources needed to win. With us, you never pay upfront — we only get paid if you do.

Speak With a Lafayette Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Today

You don’t have to face insurers alone. Call Brandt & Sherman today for a free consultation with a Lafayette distracted driving accident lawyer. We’ll investigate your case, hold the negligent driver accountable, and fight for the compensation you deserve. You never pay fees unless we win.