Construction Worker Hit and Injured by Truck on Long Island

 A worker was injured in a construction site accident after a truck hit her at a work site in Coram. According to a Newsday news report, the box truck drifted over and crashed into the victim. The 55-year-old Islip woman was listed in critical condition after the collision with a truck on Route 112 at Paul’s Path. Police said the worker was holding a sign to slow or stop traffic on the east side of northbound Route 112, which was under construction. At the time, a northbound 2000 Isuzu box truck driven by a 19-year-old man drifted to the right side of the road and struck her. The vehicle was reportedly owned by Casa Piazza in Port Jefferson Station. The driver of the truck was not injured and police have not yet charged him with a crime or issued citations. A safety check was conducted on the truck. The investigation is ongoing.

Work Zone Accidents
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in 2015 alone, there were an estimated 96,626 crashes in work zones, which represented an increase of 7.8 percent compared to 2014. This shows a continued increase in work zone crashes since the low total of 67,887 in 2013. On average, in 2015, a work zone crash occurred once every 5.4 minutes; 70 work zone crashes occurred resulting in at least one injury; and every week, 12 work zone crashes occurred that resulted in at least one fatality.
Statistics show that the primary causes of worker fatalities in recent years were:
• Runovers/backovers: Nearly half of worker fatalities are caused by workers who are run over or backed over by vehicles or mobile equipment. More than half of these fatalities were workers struck by construction vehicles. Between 2005 and 2010, about 48 percent of accidents involving workers and vehicles were runovers or backovers.
• Vehicle collisions: This is the second most common cause of worker fatalities. Between 2005 and 2010, this was a factor in about 14 percent of worker deaths.
• Caught in between or struck-by accidents: Between 2005 and 2010, getting caught between or being struck by construction vehicles and equipment also resulted in an average of 14 percent of worker fatalities.
Tips for Drivers
It is important that drivers remain alert and slow down as they drive through construction zones. A failure to do so may have devastating consequences. Here are a few steps drivers can take to prevent these types of accidents that may leave construction workers seriously injured:
• Remain alert at all times and avoid distractions. Keep your complete attention to the roadway. Put your mobile phone away and avoid eating, drinking, grooming or any type of distraction that can take your attention away from the road.
• Pay attention to the road. Watch for construction zone signs. Look for brake lights on the vehicles ahead. Be aware of traffic around you and be prepared to react.
• When you see an approaching lane closure, slow down and prepare to merge as soon as possible.
• Do not tailgate. Follow other vehicles at a safe distance.
• Obey the posted speed limit. Workers may be present just a few feet away. Be prepared to slow down or stop if the conditions indicate the need.
• Change lanes only when pavement markings indicate that you can do so and only when traffic conditions permit.
• Obey instructions from flaggers or workers who are stationed with signs at construction zones.
• Be prepared to expect the unexpected when driving through a construction zone. Look out for workers, work vehicles or equipment that may enter your lane without warning.
Compensation for Injured Workers
A worker who has been injured in a construction zone accident may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits from his or her employer. In addition, he or she may be able to file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver or another negligent party other than the employer or a co-employee who caused or contributed to their injuries. This allows victims and their families to have two sources of compensation available for their significant losses. Examples of third parties include, but are not limited to, general contractors, construction companies, sub-contractors, building owners, managing agents etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker (an undocumented immigrant) who was injured on the job – one of the highest construction case settlements in New York that year.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/cops-construction-worker-struck-by-box-truck-1.14035355