The Risks of the Roads in the Construction Work Zone

Knowing the Dangers

The Federal Highway Administration keeps track of how many people are injured and die in roadside construction accidents every year. You may be surprised to hear that, between 1982 and 2014, over 24,000 individuals lost their lives in these types of accidents. Luckily, the number of deaths have been declining every year – but not quickly enough as many more become injured or die due to lack of safety measures. Because approximately 1,571 workers lost their lives in these accidents from 2003-2015, action must be taken to assure the safety of construction workers across the U.S.

Among fatalities that happen in these zones, most happened to workers that were on-foot and struck by oncoming traffic. In fact, for all accidents that occur in roadside construction zones, about 19% were due to collisions between a worker and a vehicle from the highway. These accidents unfortunately occur when drivers fail to slow down or remain in their lane. This leaves a construction worker with little to no maneuverability, which can increase the chance of a collision. Some of the other leaders for these types of injuries had little to do with traffic on the highway, and consisted of runover injuries by equipment, the project site itself being dangerous, or caught in between objects.

There are many ways that drivers can work to protect employees in these construction zones. The best thing that they can do is always remember to be patient, cautious, and courteous. Becoming frustrated can lead to accidents as drivers lose control of their vehicles, forget to signal, and so much more – putting lives in danger. If you are a construction worker who was injured in any way in the line of duty, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation – but you should always have an attorney on your side who can help you through the process. Learn how to protect yourself and speak to us for more information on how to move forward with your case.