Chicago Highway Construction Accident Attorneys

Compensation for Chicago Victims of Accidents Due to Highway Construction

Chicago highway construction accident attorneys are essential advocates when a crash occurs due to unsafe work zones, poor signage, or negligent contractors. Highway construction sites in and around Chicago—especially along I-90, I-290, and the Dan Ryan—pose serious risks to both drivers and workers when safety protocols aren’t followed.

Accidents in these zones can result in catastrophic injuries, and determining liability often involves multiple parties, including construction companies, government agencies, and other drivers.

If you were injured in a highway construction zone accident, an experienced car accident attorney in Chicago can help you investigate the cause, navigate complex liability issues, and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.

Recent Settlements

Construction areas in Chicago pose serious risks for both workers and commuters. Whether due to poor signage, hazardous road conditions, or unsafe work environments, victims of construction-related incidents often face long recoveries, lost income, and permanent injuries.

Below are several case results that reflect the types of outcomes possible with strong legal representation:

• $180,000 Settlement – A 23-year-old cyclist suffered a fractured clavicle and skull after being “doored” by a driver who parked improperly near an active road work zone on Chicago’s Northside. The insurance company denied the initial claim due to the presence of roadwork, but compensation was secured after further investigation.
• $2,150,000 Settlement – A tuckpointer sustained a torn rotator cuff and other serious injuries after falling from scaffolding at a Chicago construction site. Though unable to return to his previous line of work, he eventually resumed employment in an office setting. The settlement reflected both the severity of the injury and his long-term wage loss.
• $4,000,000 Settlement – The family of a passenger fatally injured in a vehicle collision during a work-related trip received this wrongful death settlement. The crash happened near an active road work area, highlighting the dangers workers face even while simply commuting for their jobs.

Each of these outcomes demonstrates how quickly a construction zone accident can disrupt lives. If you or a loved one was hurt in or near a work site, contact a Chicago accident lawyer to discuss your options. Legal action may help you recover financial losses tied to medical care, lost income, and long-term support needs.

Who Can File A Claim?

If you’ve been hurt in or near a construction zone, you may be eligible to file a claim depending on how the accident happened and your role at the time of the accident. Victims include both drivers and construction workers, and each case is treated differently under Illinois law.

Civilian Drivers

Drivers and passengers injured in construction job sites may pursue claims against the insurance company of the at-fault driver, the contractor responsible for the construction site, or even a government agency if poor design or inadequate warnings played a role.

Construction Workers

Construction crews who are injured by passing vehicles, heavy equipment, or falling objects can often seek workers’ compensation benefits through their employer. In some cases, a third-party personal injury lawsuit may also be possible, particularly if the negligence of a subcontractor, driver, or equipment manufacturer contributed to the accident.

If a worker is injured while operating a vehicle within a construction zone—for example, in an accident involving a dump truck or work vehicle—they may also be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim in addition to workers’ compensation, depending on liability and the entities involved.

No matter your role—civilian or worker—an experienced construction accident lawyer can help clarify your legal options, assess liability, and pursue the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Long Do You Have To File?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, in Illinois, you generally have two years from the date the construction accident occurred to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit, known as the statute of limitations, applies to most cases involving injuries sustained in construction sites, including car accidents and work-related incidents.

However, claims involving government entities, such as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) or city-run roadway construction projects, may have shorter deadlines and strict notice requirements. For example, a notice of claim might need to be filed within one year.

It’s critical to speak with a Chicago construction accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and avoid losing your ability to recover damages.

Common Causes of Highway Construction Accidents in Chicago

Highway construction and roadwork areas create a high-risk environment where drivers must react quickly and follow safety precautions. When these areas aren’t managed properly—or when drivers fail to navigate them carefully—crashes with serious injuries can occur. Common causes of accidents near a worksite include:

• Negligent drivers – Speeding, distracted driving, or ignoring posted speed limits in work areas can lead to devastating collisions. In these cases, the insurance company is often involved in recovering damages.
• Lack of proper signage – Inadequate warnings, missing signs, or confusing detours can prevent drivers from having enough time to slow down or merge properly, increasing the risk of rear-end or side-swipe collisions near the worksite.
• Construction equipment hazards – Barriers, cones, or heavy machinery placed too close to active traffic lanes can obstruct visibility or create unexpected obstacles.
• Poor traffic management – When crews fail to close lanes effectively or provide clear detour instructions, drivers may be forced to make sudden lane changes or merge unsafely, leading to collisions.
• Adverse weather conditions – Fog, rain, or snow can further obscure signs and lane markings, making work zones even more dangerous if they are not clearly marked.
• Unstable or hazardous road surfaces – Open trenches, uneven pavement, or debris left behind in road construction areas can cause vehicles to lose control, placing motorists and workers at risk.

Get a confidential consultation with an experienced accident lawyer today and make certain your insurance company compensates you fairly for any injuries and other damages.

Highways in Chicago with Frequent Construction Site Wrecks

Some of the most dangerous roadways in and around Chicago see ongoing construction projects, high traffic volumes, and complex interchanges, creating a perfect storm for accidents:

• I-90/I-94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) – As one of Chicago’s busiest commuter routes, this stretch is often under construction. Narrow lanes, lane shifts, and merging delays make it a hotspot for rear-end accidents and work zone collisions.
• I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) – Regularly impacted by expansion and resurfacing projects, I-290’s tight lanes and short merge areas leave little room for error, increasing the chances of collisions in road project zones.
• I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) – This key freight corridor experiences a constant flow of semi-trucks. Ongoing roadwork, combined with heavy vehicle volume, leads to frequent wrecks near construction barriers and detours.
• Lake Shore Drive (US-41) – A scenic but high-risk route where routine maintenance projects often coincide with dense vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist traffic. Sudden lane closures or poorly marked work areas raise the likelihood of accidents near active zones.

Each of these highways poses heightened risks during construction, especially when drivers fail to slow down, merge properly, or stay alert near changing traffic patterns. Don’t wait to speak with an accident lawyer.

Who Is Liable for Cook County Construction Accidents?

Determining liability at a Chicago construction site isn’t always straightforward. When a construction accident happens, multiple parties may share responsibility for the resulting injuries, including catastrophic injuries that require long-term medical care and lead to significant medical bills.

Here’s who may be at fault:

• Construction companies – If the crew fails to provide clear signage, secure equipment, or manage traffic flow, they may be liable. Their negligence often results in unsafe conditions that endanger both drivers and workers.
• Independent contractors – These third-party vendors may be responsible for setting up the work site or maintaining the zone. If a poor setup led to your injury, they could be named in your personal injury claim.
• Government agencies (such as the Illinois Department of Transportation [IDOT], the City of Chicago, or Cook County) – If poor road design, inadequate lighting, or lack of signage contributed to the accident, the agency responsible may be held accountable. Filing a claim against a government entity requires strict adherence to notice rules and necessary reports.
• Negligent drivers – A reckless or distracted driver who fails to obey reduced speed limits or signage in Chicago construction sites can cause serious harm. If you or your family members were hit, their insurance company may be responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
• Equipment manufacturers – If defective barricades, cones, or machinery create hazards, the company that made or maintained the equipment may share liability. These types of cases often require expert testimony and strong documentation.

Pursuing full compensation for a construction accident often means investigating every detail of how the accident occurred and which parties contributed to it. A skilled accident lawyer can help guide you through the process and make sure you receive compensation for your injuries.

Legal Protections for the Injured in Chicago Construction Zone Accidents

When accidents occur in or near active construction zones, both injured workers and motorists have legal rights under Illinois law. If you were injured as a commuter hit by a negligent driver or as a laborer hurt while working, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries.

​Highway roadwork areas present significant risks to both motorists and construction laborers. To mitigate these dangers, Illinois has implemented specific laws aimed at protecting all individuals in these areas.

Illinois law mandates reduced speed limits in construction or maintenance zones, regardless of worker presence. Violating these speed limits can result in fines starting at $250 for a first offense and increasing for subsequent violations. ​

Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to authorized vehicles or workers actively engaged in highway construction or maintenance. Failure to do so can lead to legal penalties.

Illinois law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes safely when approaching any vehicle with its hazard lights on, not just emergency and maintenance vehicles. Failure to comply can result in a $10,250 fine.

The Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires public employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious harm. This includes adhering to safety standards and providing necessary training and protective equipment to employees. ​

Private sector construction personnel in Illinois are protected under federal OSHA regulations, which set comprehensive safety and health standards for the construction industry. These regulations cover various hazards, including falls, machinery safety, and exposure to harmful substances. ​

Understanding and adhering to these laws is crucial for the safety of both drivers and construction workers in Chicago’s highway construction areas.

For motorists, compliance helps prevent accidents and the severe penalties associated with violations. For workers, awareness of safety standards and regulations ensures a safer working environment and provides avenues for recourse in case of safety breaches.

Compensation Available After a Chicago Construction Accident

If you were injured in a Chicago construction zone accident, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation through a personal injury claim. Work zones often present unique hazards, and when safety protocols are ignored or traffic is mismanaged, serious accidents can happen.

An experienced accident lawyer can help you understand your options and fight for the full value of your losses.

Your compensation may include coverage for medical expenses, such as hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment for major injuries required for recovery.

Lost earnings due to time off work are also recoverable, especially when your injuries prevent you from returning to the job. In many cases, victims also qualify for pain and suffering damages, which address the emotional and physical toll caused by the accident.

If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to reimbursement for necessary repairs or even the full replacement cost if the damage was beyond repair. The insurance company may attempt to minimize these costs, but a skilled accident lawyer can push back and document the true value of the necessary repairs.

In the most tragic cases—when a loved one is fatally injured at or near a work site—families may pursue wrongful death damages to cover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and more.

A knowledgeable accident lawyer familiar with Chicago construction laws and regulations can help you hold negligent parties accountable and secure the financial relief you need to move forward.

How Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our experienced accident attorneys understand how complex a personal injury case can become, especially when it involves an accident in or near a Chicago construction zone.

When you work with a dedicated accident lawyer from our firm, we begin by conducting a full investigation into how the accident happened. That includes reviewing traffic camera footage, gathering eyewitness statements, obtaining official accident reports, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts when needed.

We don’t stop at identifying the other driver’s insurance company. Our car accident lawyers also examine whether other parties, such as construction companies, independent contractors, or even government agencies like IDOT, may share responsibility for unsafe road conditions or poor traffic management.

These cases often involve multiple defendants, and we have the resources and experience to hold each one accountable.

Throughout the process, a car accident lawyer coordinates all communication with the insurance company, resisting low offers and advocating for the maximum compensation available for your injuries, including coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care. And if the insurance company refuses to settle fairly, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial.

With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers by your side, you’ll have a skilled car accident lawyer focused on protecting your rights and fighting for your financial recovery.

Book a Confidential Consultation with a Construction Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a highway construction accident in Chicago, don’t wait. Our experienced accident lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case with our team. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. Let our Chicago personal injury lawyers help you navigate the legal process and hold negligent parties accountable for your injuries. Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or through our form to discuss your legal options.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.