Construction zones on Glendale streets and Los Angeles freeways create dangerous conditions for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. If you were injured due to inadequate signage, unsafe lane shifts, or negligent construction operations, Attorney Anand Desai fights to get you the compensation you deserve.
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Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Construction zone accidents present unique legal challenges that require specialized knowledge of contractor liability, government regulations, and the complex web of responsibilities between Caltrans, municipal agencies, general contractors, and subcontractors. At Anand Desai Law, we represent motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists who are injured in or near construction zones — not workers on construction sites, but everyday people navigating dangerous road conditions created by construction operations.
Attorney Anand Desai draws on 20+ years of legal experience and over 50 jury trials to build powerful cases against the parties responsible for construction zone hazards. His tenacious courtroom reputation motivates insurance companies and government agencies to offer fair settlements rather than risk a jury verdict.
Here is why our clients trust us with their construction zone accident cases:
• Multi-Party Liability Expertise: Construction zone cases often involve multiple responsible parties — Caltrans, city agencies, general contractors, subcontractors, and traffic management companies. We identify and pursue every liable party to maximize your compensation.
• Government Tort Claim Proficiency: When Caltrans or a city agency is responsible for unsafe construction zone conditions, strict six-month filing deadlines apply. We navigate the Government Claims Act with precision to protect your rights.
• 11-Language Service: Our multilingual team assists Glendale's diverse community in English, Spanish, Armenian, Farsi, Korean, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Thai, Tagalog, and Russian.
• 100% Contingency Fee: You pay nothing unless we win. No upfront costs. No hourly rates. No hidden fees.
Call us or fill out the form. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and answer all your questions — at no cost.
We gather evidence, work with experts, handle the insurance companies, and build your claim for maximum compensation.
We don’t get paid unless you win. 100% contingency fee — no upfront costs, no hidden charges, no risk to you.
Construction zones transform familiar roadways into unpredictable obstacle courses. Lanes narrow or shift abruptly, speed limits drop, traffic patterns reverse, and heavy equipment operates alongside moving vehicles. On the busy streets and freeways around Glendale — including the SR-134, SR-2, I-5, and surface streets like Brand Boulevard, Glenoaks Boulevard, and Colorado Street — construction projects are a constant presence, and motorist injuries in these zones are disturbingly common.
The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) establishes detailed standards for construction zone safety. These standards require advance warning signs, properly spaced channelizing devices (cones, barrels, barriers), appropriate speed reductions, adequate lighting for nighttime work, trained flaggers at single-lane sections, and clear delineation between work areas and travel lanes. When contractors, subcontractors, or government agencies fail to comply with these standards, they create dangerous conditions that foreseeably lead to collisions.
What makes construction zone accidents legally distinct is that the hazard is created by a third party — the entity performing or managing the construction. Unlike a typical car accident where fault lies with another driver, construction zone crashes often stem from systemic failures in zone setup, traffic management, or maintenance. These failures point to contractor or government agency negligence, opening additional avenues of recovery beyond the at-fault driver's insurance policy.
Our firm has identified recurring patterns in the construction zone accident cases we handle throughout Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, and greater Los Angeles. Inadequate advance warning signage is one of the most frequent causes — when drivers are not given sufficient notice that a construction zone lies ahead, they cannot safely reduce speed or change lanes. The CA MUTCD requires specific sign placement distances based on the posted speed limit, and violations of these standards create strong evidence of negligence.
Improper lane shifts and lane closures are another major cause. Drivers need gradual tapers and clear channelization to safely navigate lane changes. When contractors use too few cones, create overly abrupt tapers, or fail to properly mark which lanes are open and which are closed, confusion and collisions result. This is especially dangerous at night when visibility is limited.
Construction equipment left in or too close to travel lanes presents an obvious hazard. Backhoes, excavators, concrete barriers, steel plates, and debris piles must be properly separated from traffic and marked with warning devices. Flagger errors — including waving drivers forward when opposing traffic is still approaching, failing to control speed through the zone, or being positioned where drivers cannot see them — cause some of the most violent construction zone collisions we handle.
Determining who is responsible for a construction zone accident requires careful analysis of the contractual relationships, regulatory responsibilities, and on-the-ground operations at the time of the collision. In most cases, multiple parties share liability, and our firm pursues claims against every responsible entity.
General contractors are typically responsible for the overall safety of the construction zone. They hire subcontractors, procure traffic management plans, and bear primary responsibility for ensuring the zone meets CA MUTCD and Caltrans standards. When a general contractor cuts corners on safety — using fewer traffic control devices, hiring unqualified flaggers, or failing to maintain zone markings — they can be held liable for resulting injuries.
Subcontractors may also be independently liable. Traffic management companies that are specifically hired to set up and maintain the traffic control plan have a direct duty to motorists. If they fail to place signs, neglect to replace knocked-over cones, or use inadequate lighting, they bear responsibility regardless of the general contractor's involvement.
Caltrans or the local city agency that authorized the construction project may be liable under Government Code Sections 830-835.4 if they approved a deficient traffic management plan, failed to inspect the construction zone for compliance, or had notice of dangerous conditions within the zone and failed to require corrections. Government entity claims must be filed within six months under the Government Claims Act.
Construction zone accident investigations require specialized expertise and aggressive evidence preservation. At Anand Desai Law, we begin the investigation immediately because critical evidence in construction zone cases can disappear within days. Traffic control plans are modified, zones are reconfigured, and construction progresses, altering the conditions that existed at the time of your accident.
We obtain and analyze the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) that was approved for the construction project. This document specifies exactly how the zone was supposed to be configured — sign placement, lane widths, taper distances, flagger positions, lighting requirements, and speed reductions. We then compare the plan to the actual conditions at the time of the accident, often through a combination of witness testimony, photographs, dashcam footage, and expert site inspections.
We subpoena contractor records including daily work logs, safety inspection reports, flagger training certifications, and communications between the contractor and the supervising government agency. We obtain Caltrans or city inspection reports that document any cited deficiencies in the zone. We retain traffic engineering experts and accident reconstruction specialists who can testify about how specific zone deficiencies caused or contributed to the collision. This thorough, multi-layered investigation is what separates our firm from attorneys who treat construction zone cases like ordinary car accidents.
One of the most significant advantages in construction zone accident cases is the availability of multiple sources of recovery. Unlike a standard two-vehicle collision where your compensation is limited to the at-fault driver's insurance policy, construction zone cases may involve claims against the general contractor's commercial liability insurance, subcontractor insurance policies, Caltrans or city self-insurance funds, and the at-fault driver's personal auto insurance.
General contractors on public works projects are typically required to carry substantial commercial general liability (CGL) insurance — often $2 million or more per occurrence. Traffic management subcontractors carry their own CGL policies. Caltrans is self-insured by the State of California, meaning there is no policy limit — recoveries are limited only by the strength of the evidence and the severity of the injuries. Cities like Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena participate in joint powers authorities or maintain their own self-insurance programs.
In some construction zone cases, vehicle or equipment manufacturers may also be liable if a defective product contributed to the accident — for example, a traffic signal controller that malfunctioned during construction, or a temporary barrier system that failed on impact. We evaluate every potential source of recovery to ensure our clients receive the maximum compensation available under the law.
If you have been injured in a construction zone accident, taking the right steps immediately can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Document the construction zone conditions as thoroughly as possible — photograph signs (or the absence of signs), cones, barriers, lane markings, equipment positions, lighting, and any other conditions that may have contributed to the accident. Note the names of any construction companies visible on equipment, vehicles, or signs in the zone.
Report the accident to law enforcement. In freeway construction zones, the California Highway Patrol responds and prepares a Traffic Collision Report. On city streets, the local police department (such as Glendale PD or Burbank PD) investigates. Request a copy of the report and ask the responding officer whether any construction zone deficiencies were noted.
Seek medical attention promptly, even if your injuries seem minor. Some of the most serious construction zone accident injuries — including traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, and spinal cord damage — may not produce immediate symptoms. Documenting your injuries from the outset strengthens both your medical treatment and your legal claim.
Then contact Anand Desai Law at (833) 270-7800. Time is critical in construction zone cases because the zone configuration changes daily as work progresses. We need to preserve evidence, inspect the site, and obtain records before they are altered or destroyed. Your initial consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Multiple parties may be liable: the general contractor managing the construction project, subcontractors responsible for traffic management and flagging, Caltrans (for state highways) or the city (for local streets), and potentially the at-fault driver if another vehicle was involved. Liability depends on what caused the accident — whether it was inadequate signage, improper lane shifts, equipment in the roadway, flagger errors, or another construction zone deficiency. Our firm investigates all responsible parties to maximize your recovery.
The key difference is the involvement of third parties beyond the drivers. In a construction zone case, contractors, subcontractors, and government agencies may share liability for creating dangerous conditions. This means more potential defendants, more insurance policies to access, and typically higher available compensation. However, these cases are also more complex — they require specialized investigation of traffic management plans, contractor records, and regulatory compliance. Our firm has the expertise to handle this complexity effectively.
Yes. Under the California Government Claims Act (Government Code Section 910 et seq.), you must file a formal written claim with the responsible government agency within six months of the accident. This is a mandatory prerequisite to filing a lawsuit. The claim must identify the date, location, and circumstances of the accident, describe your injuries, and state the amount of damages. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation against the government entity entirely. Our firm handles government tort claims regularly and ensures compliance with all deadlines.
Critical evidence includes photographs of the construction zone (signs, cones, barriers, lane markings, equipment positions, lighting), the approved Traffic Management Plan for the project, contractor daily work logs and safety inspection reports, Caltrans or city inspection records, flagger training certifications, the police or CHP Traffic Collision Report, witness statements, and dashcam footage. Because construction zones change daily, evidence preservation is time-sensitive. Contact us as soon as possible so we can secure evidence before it is altered or destroyed.
Potentially, yes. If the construction zone lacked adequate advance warning signs, proper speed reduction zones, or sufficient taper distances — causing traffic to stop abruptly and creating conditions for rear-end collisions — the contractor or government agency may share liability. The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) sets specific requirements for advance warning distances based on the posted speed limit. Violations of these standards constitute evidence of negligence. We analyze whether the construction zone setup contributed to the traffic conditions that led to your collision.
Flagger errors are among the most dangerous construction zone failures. If a flagger waved you forward when opposing traffic was still approaching, failed to hold traffic when necessary, or was improperly positioned where drivers could not see them, the flagging company and general contractor may be liable. California requires construction flaggers to hold valid certifications and follow specific protocols. We obtain flagger training records, investigate whether proper flagging procedures were in place, and hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
Yes. Under California Vehicle Code Section 42009, fines for speeding violations in active construction zones where workers are present can be doubled. However, this is separate from your personal injury claim. The fact that California imposes enhanced penalties in construction zones reflects the recognized danger of these areas. If the other driver was speeding in a construction zone when they struck you, the enhanced fine provision reinforces that their conduct was particularly reckless, strengthening your claim for damages.
You may recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future medical costs, property damage), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life), and in cases of egregious negligence, punitive damages. Construction zone cases often produce higher settlements than standard car accidents because multiple liable parties with substantial insurance coverage are available. We evaluate every source of recovery — contractor insurance, subcontractor insurance, government self-insurance funds, and the at-fault driver's policy — to maximize your total compensation.
The statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit against private parties (contractors, subcontractors) is two years from the date of the accident under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. For claims against government entities like Caltrans or the City of Glendale, you must first file an administrative tort claim within six months under Government Code Section 911.2. Because construction zone cases often involve both private and government defendants, the six-month government claim deadline effectively controls the timeline. Contact us promptly to protect all of your claims.
Zone modifications after an accident are common and can actually support your case. Under California Evidence Code Section 1151, subsequent remedial measures (changes made after an accident to prevent future incidents) are generally not admissible to prove negligence. However, we use other evidence — the original Traffic Management Plan, photographs from before the modifications, contractor daily logs, inspection records, and witness testimony — to prove what conditions existed at the time of your accident. This is why acting quickly is essential: we can inspect the site, interview witnesses, and demand preservation of records before changes occur.
Anand Desai is a dedicated personal injury attorney serving Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area. A graduate of Loyola Law School with an undergraduate degree from USC, Anand has been a member of the California State Bar (#249768) since 2007, bringing 20+ years of legal experience to every case he handles.
Anand specializes in personal injury law, with particular expertise in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and catastrophic injury cases. His deep understanding of California personal injury law, combined with his tenacious negotiation skills, has helped him secure millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients.
What truly sets Anand apart is his commitment to his community. His firm is one of the only law offices in Glendale that offers services in 11 languages, including Spanish, Armenian, Hindi, Gujarati, Korean, Tagalog, Farsi, Mandarin, Japanese, Vietnamese, and English — reflecting the rich diversity of the communities he serves.
“I fight for every client like they’re family. When you hire me, you’re not just getting a lawyer — you’re getting someone who genuinely cares about your recovery and your future.”
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