Oh, those orange barrels! Most drivers understand the frustration that can be faced when they encounter orange barrels and the inevitable roadwork construction site that accompanies them. Imagine, however, being one of the road construction workers whose lives are endangered every day by speeding cars, inattentive drivers, road rage incidents, equipment failures, and more. It’s a lot easier to have empathy for the men and women who work on our highways and byways when you think of the dangerous situations they continually find themselves a part of each and every day – and all of it, just to make our roads better and safer.
Due to these dangerous situations, many road construction crew members receive work-related injuries. When that happens, ideally, workers’ compensation helps them get back on their feet, pay bills, etc. Sometimes, however, problems arise. It is then that injured employees should contact the attorneys at Cardinal Law Partners. With empathy and dedication, we will fight for your rights to make sure you get everything you legally have coming.
What Are Road Work Construction Accidents?
Some types of road construction accidents are more common than others. The most frequently observed accidents related to road construction are as follows:
- Exposure to harmful environments or substances
- Transportation incidents
- Overexertion
- Falls, trips, or slips
- Contact with equipment or objects (this could include a car, construction vehicle, or any piece of construction equipment)
- Being struck by materials or falling objects
- Gas explosions
- Falls from structures or machinery
- Contact with powerlines
The chances of a passing vehicle striking a construction worker versus the chances of them being struck by a work vehicle are about equal. For road crew members, approximately 50% of work-related injuries involve backing vehicles striking the worker.
Understanding the Dangers of Road Work Construction Accidents
Fatal injuries to road construction workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average approximately 123 per year. The number of these workers who have lost their lives, as a result of an accident that happened on site, total 1,844 from 2003 to 2017.
Why do these accidents happen? Here are the leading causes…
Work zone crashes, which involve the following factors:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Alcohol and drug use
- Speeding
Street construction violations which, according to OSHA, are related to the following:
- Tags and signs
- Protective systems
- Hazard communication
- Excavation
- Cranes
- Fall protection
Are You a Victim Of a Road Work Construction Accident?
If you have been injured in a road construction accident, as a road crew employee, you are entitled to workers’ compensation. That should be a cut and dried situation. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as it sounds like it should be. If the construction company isn’t to blame, drivers going through the site may be to blame. This could involve third-party claims.
If you’ve been injured on the job, the last thing you need is the burden of a lawsuit. For that very reason, Cardinal Law Partners will tirelessly and diligently fight for your rights. We will do all that we can to see to it that you receive the financial restitution you deserve to cover your medical expenses, help with bills, compensate you for pain and suffering, etc.
Why Should You Hire Cardinal Law Partners to Defend Your Rights in a Road Work Construction Accident Claim?
If you are a road construction worker and you have been injured on the job, not only you but your entire family can suffer indescribable consequences. But both you and your loved ones can have better peace of mind knowing that Cardinal Law Partners is on your side, fighting for your rights, with dedicated and tireless effort.
If you or a loved one has lost a family member or was injured in a road construction accident, contact Cardinal Law Partners now to schedule a free consultation with our workers’ compensation attorneys.