Hundreds of workers are injured or killed by irresponsible drivers in work zones every year. In 2019, 842 fatalities occurred in work zones; 135 of those fatalities were workers on the job. The overall number of deaths increased 11% over the previous year, highlighting the importance of understanding construction workers’ rights when injured in a work zone collision.
Explore legal options for construction workers injured in work zones and learn how working with a team of Detroit construction accident lawyers at Fieger Law can help you obtain compensation for your injuries
Common Causes of Work Zone Injuries
According to workzonesafety.org, there were 39,000 injuries in work zones in 2019. 5,000 of those injuries involved a truck, and 1,000 involved a pedestrian. The most common events that cause worker injuries in work zones are:
- Electrocutions
- Falls, trips, and slips
- Equipment and objects striking workers
- Workers stuck between equipment
- Transportation-related incidents
By far, the most common work zone injuries are transportation-related. Some type of vehicle collision causes 74.7% of work zone injuries. If you are one of the many workers injured in a work zone, call Fieger Law as soon as possible to learn about your legal rights to compensation.
What to Do if You Are Injured in a Work Zone
If you are injured in a work zone, there are several actions you can take to protect your rights to compensation. Taking the following steps immediately following a work zone traffic collision can help you succeed in receiving a fair settlement for your injuries.
Always contact a personal injury attorney like those at Fieger Law immediately after a work zone accident.
1. Seek medical care
Whether you are a worker injured in a work zone collision or a driver injured by another’s careless behavior, you must seek medical care following the incident. Seeking care ensures a medical professional examines your injuries. It also provides you with proof of the extent of your injuries for a personal injury claim.
Make sure to get a copy of your medical report and, if possible, pictures of your injuries. Follow through on your recommended treatment plan and attend any follow-up visits.
2. File a police report
Much like any vehicle accident, you need to file a police report after the incident. A police report offers another source of proof about your injuries and what occurred at the scene of the accident. A police report is a helpful tool in obtaining compensation because it is a reliable third-party report that can help prove the driver’s negligence who caused your injuries.
3. Speak with a personal injury attorney
After the accident, speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will inform you of your legal options and guide you through your next steps. A personal injury lawyer from Fieger Law will step in on your behalf and pursue maximum compensation from those responsible for your injuries.
4. File a workers’ compensation claim
If you are a worker injured in a work zone collision, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim if you are classified as an employee and not an independent contractor. Generally, workers’ compensation covers medical bills for those injured while working. You may also receive disability benefits through workers’ compensation that cover part of your wages, depending on the extent of your injuries.
5. File a personal injury claim
You may file a personal injury claim for non-economic damages like pain and suffering to pursue additional compensation for your injuries for workers injured in work zones. This allows you to hold the person who caused the accident responsible and receive damages for the devastating impact the injury has had on your life.
For workers who lose their lives in a work zone accident, a wrongful death claim can compensate their loved ones. Wrongful death claims can result in damages for loss of companionship, loss of financial support, medical care, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering.
For drivers and passengers injured in a work zone, a personal injury or wrongful death suit offers a way to pursue compensation. If you are harmed in a work zone accident because of another person’s carelessness, consult a personal injury attorney to determine your legal options.
At Fieger Law, understand the importance of fighting for the compensation you deserve. Whether you’re going up against your employer, a big business, or the municipality, our team believes in holding parties responsible for preventable accidents accountable.
Schedule Your Case Review with Fieger Law Today
Contact Fieger Law today if you have been injured in a work zone accident. We are one of America’s top personal injury law firms, and we will fight for your right to compensation for your injuries.
We accept cases from across the country, so you can contact us no matter where your injuries occur. Our team has won more than 165 verdicts and changed thousands of lives. Call Fieger Law today to schedule a personal injury case review.
