Work Zone Accidents
South Carolina Attorneys Serving Accident Victims
Motor vehicle and tractor-trailer crashes can have devastating and wide-ranging effects. Drivers and passengers are the most obvious victims of such accidents, but sometimes others such as pedestrians and construction zone workers may also be seriously harmed or even killed. Our South Carolina accident lawyers at Lofton & Lofton bring decades of experience to each case. We work hard to make sure that crash victims, including those injured in work zones, receive fair compensation for their injuries. If you or someone you love has been involved in a construction zone accident, we will be happy to evaluate your case.
Construction Workers Can Suffer Serious Injuries
People in work zones during roadway maintenance and construction face a high degree of risk, especially in areas with high traffic volume and congestion. Most drivers acknowledge this danger by slowing down, moving over, and paying extra attention. Unfortunately, not all motorists and truckers give construction workers the care and respect that they deserve. Drivers who are in a hurry or are distracted may drive in a careless or even reckless manner through a work zone, endangering those who make their living building and maintaining our highways.
The United States Department of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) reports that workers struck by vehicles or mobile equipment account for the highest number of fatal work injuries. In fact, the most recent statistics of National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse verify that there were 609 work zone fatalities in the United States in 2012 alone. These accidents are a serious problem in both South Carolina and nationwide.
Seeking Compensation Through a Negligence Lawsuit
If you have been hurt in a work zone, you may choose to file a negligence lawsuit to pursue damages from the careless driver responsible. This means that you would need to prove the four elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
All motorists owe each other and pedestrians, including construction workers, a duty of reasonable care. Because of the high risk associated with work zones, using reasonable care in such an area may require a reduced speed and other measures aimed at decreasing the likelihood of an accident. A breach happens when a driver fails to use the same level of care that an ordinary driver would use when traveling through a construction zone. After you have shown duty and breach, you must prove that the motorist’s breach caused your injuries and that the injuries resulted in damages for which you can be compensated.
Available damages might include medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If a work zone accident results in a loved one’s death, certain survivors may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek medical and burial expenses, as well as damages related to their loss and to the pain and suffering of their loved one before death.
Consult Dedicated Injury Lawyers in South Carolina
The South Carolina injury attorneys at Lofton & Lofton are familiar with how to pursue work zone accident cases. We understand the complexities and nuances in this area and will help you seek the maximum amount of compensation available to you. To contact Lofton & Lofton, P.C. about evaluating your case, contact us online or call us at (843) 722-6319.
