Nearly every day, stories of distracted drivers injuring themselves or others appear in the news. Sometimes, these injuries are minor—damaging cars and leaving victims with minor scratches. Other times, individuals are left in serious condition in local hospitals—if they are lucky enough to survive.
Unfortunately, distracted drivers are only one of the serious concerns that road construction site workers must be aware of while on the job.
Whether other motorists, other construction site workers, or machinery causes the injuries, the damage can sometimes be life altering. A few common road construction injuries include:
- Head injuries and brain damage
- Spinal injuries including paralysis and crushed vertebrae
- Broken bones
- Amputations from crushed or severed limbs
- Neck and back injuries
- Death
Any one of these injuries, and the countless others, could end a career in construction in an instant. In order to help prevent road construction injuries, workers should do the following:
- Pay attention and look for blind spots. With multiple pieces of construction equipment parked close together, visibility is reduced, increasing the likelihood of rollover or backover accidents.
- Wear proper work attire including high visibility articles such as vests, jackets, and helmets with reflective stripes.
- Follow “safe-flagging” procedures including right set-up, right spacing, right practices, and right attire.
- Stay alert for unsafe working conditions such as uneven surfaces, congested traffic zones, and other worker’s behaviors.
Taking extra care on the job can help prevent many road construction accidents. However, if you are injured in an Illinois road construction site accident due to the carelessness or negligence of another, be sure to seek the legal counsel of an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney at Lane Brown. Our nationally recognized workplace injury lawyers will make it a priority to fight for your rights and ensure justice is served. Contact us today at 312-332-1400 to schedule a free consultation.
