Whether it be roadway construction or highway work zones, construction zone accidents occur far too often throughout Toronto. And when these accidents do occur, the aftermath can be quite devastating, and even life-altering. Follow along to find out what hazards commonly lead to construction zone accidents and how a proficient Toronto work injury lawyer at Merricks Law Group can help you through your difficult situation.
What hazards commonly lead to construction zone accidents?
Construction zones come with all sorts of potential hazards that must be navigated safely. If not, an accident is more than likely to occur. Notably, these accidents can be a workplace accident, an auto accident, or otherwise. And victims of such accidents may include the following:
- Construction equipment operators and construction worker bystanders.
- Passenger vehicle drivers and their passengers.
- Tractor-trailer drivers, bus drivers, or otherwise.
- Pedestrians or otherwise passersby.
For example, a construction site owner or property manager must take certain measures to ensure that basic safety requirements are met. A failure of this can be seen in the following ways:
- Failure to post adequate signage for drivers or otherwise passersby.
- Failure to station adequate barrels or lane barriers for drivers or otherwise passersby.
- Failure to provide adequate training to workers when it comes to working with electrical lines or heavy mechanical equipment.
- Failure to relieve workers when they are overexerted, fatigued, or otherwise exhausted.
In addition, construction workers themselves hold a certain level of responsibility to work safely and with care. A failure of this can be seen in the following ways:
- Failure to move heavy mechanical equipment within its specified limits.
- Failure to wear personal protective equipment.
- Failure to abide by posted signs, barriers, or otherwise.
And lastly, a negligent driver may create a hazard that leads to a construction zone accident. Examples of such include the following:
- Failure to proceed slowly through a construction zone.
- Failure to proceed attentively through a construction zone.
- Failure to drive within barricades through a construction zone.
- Failure to abide by signage, traffic directions, or otherwise caution signals.
What damages are associated with construction zone accidents?
To reiterate, the damages that are associated with construction zone accidents can be severe, if not fatal. Examples of such include the following:
- Physical damages:
- Amputation of limbs.
- Broken or sprained bones.
- Spinal cord injuries or paralysis.
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
- Internal bleeding.
- Permanent scarring.
- Mental damages:
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Emotional distress or anxiety.
- Financial damages:
- Bills from hospitalization.
- Bills from medication.
Bills from adaptive equipment. - Bills from years of medical treatment, surgeries, or rehabilitation.
Nonetheless, if you have been made a victim of a construction zone accident and you are suffering from any of the above damages, you may be able to recover them via a personal injury claim. For legal assistance, contact a talented Ontario personal injury lawyer today.
