If your job duties place you in a work zone near traffic, you need to recognize the hazards you face on the job. Every year, work zone accidents cause many injuries and a lot of workers also lose their lives in these accidents. Work zones are especially hazardous for many reasons, such as construction activity, fluctuations in traffic patterns and narrow lanes.
it is pivotal to pore over statistics on work zone accidents to understand the prevalence of these incidents. If you sustained a serious injury in a work zone accident, you also need to look into your options with respect to the recovery process.
Data on work zone accidents
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 135 workers lost their lives in work zone accidents over the course of 2019, compared to 124 during 2018. During 2019, rear-end accidents accounted for almost 25% of all deadly work zone accidents. Speeding played a role in 31% of all fatal work zone accidents and 33% involved commercial motor vehicles.
The impact of work zone accidents
Although a lot of work zone accidents claim lives, even more leave workers with severe injuries. If you suffer a serious injury in a work zone accident, you could have to take time off, leading to financial challenges. Many injured workers lose the ability to work in their field permanently and some face mental hurdles, especially if they have loved ones counting on them.
In the wake of a work zone accident, you need to look over all of your options. Workers’ compensation offers a number of benefits for injured workers who are eligible, such as training for work in a different field and help with medical bills as well as lost wages.