If you were injured near the Brent Spence Bridge construction project, you may suddenly find yourself facing pain, uncertainty and unanswered questions about what happens next. RKPT’s construction accident attorneys are here to help.

Many of these incidents happen because construction companies cut corners on safety standards. When companies fail to properly secure a construction site area, they allow falling objects, heavy equipment, and traffic hazards to put people at risk. Construction injuries often lead to significant medical care, ongoing medical expenses, and lost wages that quickly strain your family’s finances.

A construction accident injury near the Brent Spence Bridge may give you the right to pursue a construction accident claim through a personal injury lawsuit. Many of these cases involve complex questions about who is at fault, from the general contractor and subcontractors to third‑party drivers and their insurance companies.

Talking with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney after a construction site accident can help you protect your rights, and pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. If you were injured in a construction accident, and wish to pursue a construction accident lawsuit, RKPT is here to help.

Call Us: (513) 721-3330

What Is Happening at the Brent Spence Bridge?

The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project is a massive, multi‑year reconstruction of the I‑71/I‑75 corridor between Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky. The work stretches roughly from the Western Hills Viaduct in Ohio down to Dixie Highway in Kentucky, covering several miles of highway, ramps, and river crossing.

The two-phase project includes construction of a new companion bridge just west of the existing Brent Spence Bridge to carry most interstate traffic, while the existing bridge is being reconfigured to carry primarily local traffic with restored shoulders and improved safety features. It also involves redesigning interchanges, replacing approach ramps and bridges, and improving about eight miles of roadway, with construction anticipated to run through much of the next decade.

Why The Brent Spence Bridge Project Creates Safety Risks

Whenever a major river bridge and interstate corridor are under active construction, the risks for workers, drivers, and nearby pedestrians increase. Heavy equipment, changing traffic patterns, narrowed lanes, temporary barriers, and elevated work areas all raise the chances of crashes and fall‑related incidents if safety rules are not followed. 

RKPT anticipates a rise in construction accident injuries as a result of this ambitious project. The Brent Spence corridor has historically had a crash rate nearly double the statewide average; this is a primary reason for this expansion project in the first place. While the long‑term effect may reduce crashes through improved road design, the construction period itself can be hazardous if contractors or drivers act carelessly.

What To Do After An Injury at the Brent Spence Bridge Construction Site

1. Get Immediate Medical Care

After a construction accident injury, your health comes first. Even if you feel okay immediately after the fact, always seek medical attention for a full evaluation. Some serious injuries— internal bleeding, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury and so forth—can take days, or even weeks, to become evident. Establishing a medical baseline not only improves your chances of making a full recovery, but it also protects your legal case should one arise.

At the scene, call 911, particularly if someone is seriously hurt. Stay until EMTs evaluate you, and follow their recommendations about transport. If you are not taken by ambulance, visit an emergency department, urgent care, or your doctor as soon as possible and explain that you were injured near the Brent Spence Bridge construction zone so your records clearly reflect the cause.

2. Report the Accident

Next, it is important to make sure the incident is formally reported. If you were involved in a car accident, call police so an officer can document the scene, interview drivers and witnesses, and prepare a crash report. If you are a construction worker who suffered an on-the-job injury,report the injury to your supervisor right away and follow your employer’s workers’ compensation procedures. 

If you were walking or biking through the construction area, or involved in a bus accident on the Brent Spence Bridge, report the incident to police immediately. Ask for the incident or report number and keep copies of any written reports for your records. Your police report will become a critical component of your legal case, so make sure everything is accurately documented at the scene of the accident.

Read more from RKPT: What To Do After A Car Accident: A Comprehensive Guide 

3. Document Everything You Can

In the moments after a serious construction accident injury, you may think you will remember everything viscerally. Studies show, however, that accident survivors can forget important details of the event; this is due to shock, disorientation or a traumatic brain injury. For this reason alone, always try to preserve as much information as possible.

Evidence disappears quickly in active work zones, so acting promptly is key. Take photos and videos of the scene, including signage, lane closures, barriers, equipment, debris, and your visible injuries. Get names and contact information for witnesses, including other drivers, coworkers, and bystanders. 

After the event, be sure to keep all medical records, bills, prescriptions, and receipts, along with a journal describing your pain, limitations, and how the injury affects your daily life and work. If you are unable to collect evidence yourself because of your injuries, a family member or an attorney’s investigator can often help.

At any point in the process, you may wish to speak to a construction accident attorney at RKPT for a free consultation: (513) 721-3330.

4. Talk to a Construction Accident Lawyer

Bridge‑related construction injury cases near the Brent Spence Bridge can be complex because multiple entities may be involved. You may be entitled to file a claim against a general contractor, subcontractor, design‑build teams, or even a state transportation agency. Working with a construction accident attorney can not only improve the outcome of your case, but also expedite the process through the legal system.

Our Ohio and Kentucky construction accident lawyers will begin your case by identifying all potentially responsible parties, from negligent drivers to contractors who failed to follow safety standards. We then coordinate your workers’ compensation claim if you were injured on the job, while evaluating any third‑party claims against other companies or drivers. The team at RKPT works with experts in construction safety, traffic engineering, and medicine in pursuit of full, fair compensation.

To begin the process, call (513) 721-3330. RKPT offers free consultation on all construction accident cases.

Be Careful When Talking With Insurance Adjusters!

Soon after an accident, you may hear from insurance adjusters, risk managers, or claims representatives. While they may present themselves as on your side, it is critically important to protect yourself during these conversations. Do not give a recorded statement or sign broad medical releases until you fully understand your rights, and always speak with an attorney before agreeing to a settlement.

Common Bridge Construction Accident Scenarios

Large bridge expansions like the Brent Spence Bridge Project can result in injuries in a number of ways. These serious construction accident events can affect workers, drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Here are just a few of the most common types of construction accident scenarios:

Falls from heights: Workers may fall from scaffolding, bridge decks, or temporary platforms 30–50 feet or more when fall protection is missing or misused, often leading to fractures, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries.
“Struck‑by” incidents: Cranes, beams, and other lifted materials can swing or drop unexpectedly, striking people below and causing crush injuries, internal bleeding, or fatal trauma.
Vehicle and truck crashes: Sudden lane shifts, reduced shoulders, and congestion in a work zone can lead to rear‑end collisions, sideswipes, and underride crashes with construction trucks or barriers.
Slip, trip, and fall hazards: Debris, uneven temporary surfaces, and poorly marked walkways can cause serious falls at ground level for both workers and motorists who exit their vehicles.
Exposure to hazardous conditions: Dust, fumes, noise, and vibration can aggravate respiratory and hearing problems or contribute to long‑term occupational illness when not properly controlled.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was hurt near the Brent Spence Bridge Construction Project. Am I entitled to compensation?

The answer to this question depends on which party, or parties, are found liable for your injuries. Depending on the facts of your case and who is at fault, you may be able to pursue compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (past and future) 
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity 
  • Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life 
  • Disability or disfigurement 
  • Wrongful death damages for surviving family members in fatal cases

Deadlines to file a construction accident claim come up fast in both Kentucky and Ohio, so it is important to talk with a lawyer as soon as you can after an injury. In Kentucky, many construction‑related personal injury claims must be filed within one (1) year, although crashes involving motor vehicles and workers’ compensation claims are often subject to a two‑year deadline instead. In Ohio, most personal injury and work‑zone crash claims must be filed within two (2) years of the date of injury. 
Different rules and exceptions may apply if your claim involves a government entity, workers’ compensation, or a minor. We highly recommend speaking with a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your case and meet these deadlines.

Because the Brent Spence Bridge physically spans the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington, an injury there can potentially involve either Ohio or Kentucky law. By agreement between the states, Ohio law applies to accidents occurring on the Brent Spence Bridge; lawsuits must be filed in Ohio, not Kentucky. Certain exceptions apply.
For a motor‑vehicle or construction‑zone crash on either side of the bridge, the police report usually controls where the case is treated as having occurred. The investigating agency will mark the location as either in Kentucky or Ohio, and that typically dictates which state’s law and statute of limitations apply. If you were hurt as a worker on the project, your workers’ compensation claim will usually be filed in the state where your employer’s coverage is based.
Our construction accident lawyers are licensed in both Kentucky and Ohio; regardless of the jurisdiction, we stand ready to assist you with your claim. Call us for a free consultation: (513) 721-3330.

Bridge work zones can cause a wide range of injuries. Construction workers may suffer broken bones, dislocated joints, crushed limbs, and serious sprains or ligament tears after falls from heights, being struck by vehicles or equipment, or getting caught between objects. Head and brain injuries are also common when someone is hit by a vehicle, struck by debris, or thrown in a crash.

Spinal cord and back injuries occur when high‑impact forces damage the vertebrae or discs, sometimes leading to partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, or loss of mobility. Many victims also experience internal injuries that may not be visible right away but can quickly become life‑threatening without prompt treatment.

As Cincinnati Personal Injury Attorneys, We Are Here To Help

If you have been hurt in a construction zone like the Brent Spence Bridge Project, don’t hesitate: speak to a construction accident attorney as soon as possible to secure your right to compensation.

Call RKPT today for a free consultation: (513) 721-3330.