In New York State, construction safety is an ongoing concern. If it is a project in which a structure for a home, a building or a commercial entity is being built, the workers will need to use large tools, heavy equipment, vehicles, be stationed at significant heights and trust others to maintain safety and adhere to protocol. While these projects are dangerous, there is some level of control as to who is on or near the site. Road construction to improve, maintain and build can be riskier because drivers will pass the site. State legislators and law enforcement knows this and seeks to enforce laws to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, they still happen with workers suffering long-term damage.
Crackdown on construction zone road violations results in major ticketing blitz
Work zone violations are such a concern that the state “Operation Hardhat” to cite drivers for various violations. In all, 444 tickets were issued. The entire state was mobilized as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week in late April. This was considered important because there has been a spike in the number of drivers who are entering work zones and either injuring vulnerable workers or placing them in danger. The tickets were issued for several violations including drivers who were using their cellphone in a work zone and speeding.
Of the 444 tickets, 135 were for cellphone use and 81 were for drivers who were traveling at an excessive speed. Another issue was drivers failing to move over as required by the law. This resulted in 47 citations. One accident was noted as it happened shortly after there was a police presence in the work zone to spot violators. A 56-year-old worker was hospitalized with serious injuries. Another worker, 33, was inside a Department of Transportation vehicle and was also hospitalized with injuries that were not believed to be serious. Since the warmer weather is the primary time when road construction is done, there will be a greater chance of accidents.
Professional guidance can be vital after road work construction accidents
Construction workers understand the job they do can place them in jeopardy, but that does not mean construction site accident injuries should be accepted along with the challenges that arise in the aftermath. Seeking compensation can be a fundamental part of moving forward. It can help with medical expenses, lost income and to address the problems that inevitably arise with any personal injury. To assess the evidence, determine what happened and plot an effective strategy, having professional guidance is crucial from the beginning.