Construction vehicles can be dangerous when they’re not operated safely. If the operator is distracted, careless, or improperly trained or supervised, they could easily cause a catastrophic accident. Improper vehicle maintenance and inspection could also lead to a crash.
If you’ve been injured in a collision with a construction vehicle in South Carolina, you could be left with severe injuries and significant financial losses. If you were injured on the job, or if you were injured while traveling through a construction zone, you could be owed compensation for these losses – compensation that an experienced construction vehicle accident lawyer in South Carolina can help you pursue.
The Jebaily Law Firm is prepared to help you fight for the money and justice you deserve. Our South Carolina construction vehicle accident attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. That accumulated knowledge has helped us recover substantial compensation for our clients.
We are ready to explain your legal options and help you find the best way forward after a construction accident during a free initial consultation. Contact us today to learn more.
How Construction Vehicle Accidents Happen
Construction workers, pedestrians, and drivers traveling through a work zone can all potentially be injured in a construction vehicle accident – and each all potentially contributes to an accident as well.
Like most accidents, construction vehicle collisions are ultimately caused by someone’s carelessness or recklessness. Sometimes, this can be on the part of poorly trained or inattentive construction workers, who lose control of the vehicles they are operating and collide with coworkers or drivers passing through the area. In other cases, careless or reckless motorists fail to take the necessary precautions in a marked construction zone, leading to collisions with workers or other drivers.
Common Causes of Construction Motor Vehicle Crashes in South Carolina
Construction vehicle accidents are an all-too-common occurrence in South Carolina. The state Department of Public Safety reports that almost 5,000 construction or maintenance vehicles were involved in traffic accidents statewide in a single recent year.
Some of the common causes of construction vehicle accidents in South Carolina are:
- Driver inexperience —It takes time and practice to safely drive a construction vehicle and operate the equipment on it. Inexperienced drivers could accidentally steer a construction vehicle into a dangerous area, fail to see a person or vehicle behind them while backing up, or strike someone while operating the vehicle’s articulated arm or other attached equipment.
- Mechanical defects — Construction vehicles are heavy, complex machines made of many different parts. If there’s a defect in any of these parts, the vehicle could trigger an accident.
- Sloppy maintenance — Construction vehicles must be carefully maintained so they do not malfunction and cause an injury. Accidents can occur when careless owners or mechanics don’t correctly maintain these complex pieces of equipment.
- Overly crowded worksites — One often overlooked cause of construction vehicle accidents is overly crowded or poorly laid-out work sites. The site should be kept free of clutter, and there should be pathways for construction vehicles that keep them away from workers and passers-by. If these concerns are ignored or overlooked, the chances of an accident increase significantly.
- Cars driving nearby — Some construction vehicle accidents aren’t the fault of a construction worker. In some instances, accidents result from other drivers not slowing down or otherwise being careless in work zones. A negligent driver could easily drift into the path of a construction vehicle and cause major injuries.
- Impaired or distracted vehicle operators — Anyone operating a construction vehicle needs to have a clear head and a focus on the task at hand. Vehicle operators who abuse drugs or alcohol, or who let themselves get distracted while they should be paying attention to the operation of their vehicle, can lose control and end up hurting someone.
Who May Be Liable for a Construction Site Crash?
The circumstances of the crash make a significant difference in who is responsible and who can be held legally liable. That said, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to liability for construction site crashes:
- If you’re a worker injured by a construction vehicle at a job site — In most cases, workers injured by construction vehicles in the scope of their employment will have to go through the workers’ compensation system to recover benefits. Injured workers generally cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer, as workers’ compensation is a no-fault benefit. Workers’ compensation covers all related medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but you will not be able to recover compensation for things like your pain and suffering.
- If you were injured by a third party while working at a job site — If a construction worker’s injuries were caused by a third party, such as a vendor or the manufacturer of a defective construction vehicle, they might have a case for a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for a broader range of injuries than you can through a workers’ compensation claim.
- If you’re injured by a construction vehicle while driving or walking through a work zone — Any non-employee injured by a construction vehicle while driving or walking through a work zone could file a personal injury lawsuit against the vehicle operator, the operator’s employer, the vehicle’s manufacturer, or anyone else whose negligence caused the accident.
Types of Construction Vehicle Accident Injuries in SC
Construction vehicle accidents frequently cause significant injuries, such as:
- Severe cuts and broken bones
- Crushed, severed, or amputated limbs
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to internal organs
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- External head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Common Types of Vehicles Involved in Construction Site Accidents
A wide range of vehicles are used on construction sites, any of which could lead to an accident. Some examples include:
- Cranes
- Bulldozers
- Front-end loaders
- Cement mixer trucks
- Forklifts
- Backhoes
- Road graders
- Bobcats
- Dump trucks
- Road rollers
- Compactors
The Legal Team at Jebaily Law Firm Is Here for You
It’s crucial to get quality legal representation to recover compensation for your injuries after a construction vehicle accident. Contact the Jebaily Law Firm today for a free initial consultation with one of our accident attorneys.
