Be Careful! It is Construction Season

From paving roadways to building new structures, summer is a busy time for the construction industry. While construction does occur year-round, especially in Georgia and Alabama, there always seem to be more crews out during the summer months. Construction is a vital industry, but it is also very dangerous for both workers and bystanders. Here is what you need to know about construction injuries and what to do if you are a victim, including seeking guidance from an experienced Atlanta Construction Accidents Lawyer.

Construction Worker Injuries and Accidents

Construction work is considered one of the most dangerous jobs due to the high number of serious injuries every year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an estimated 20% of all workplace fatalities occur at construction sites and almost 40% of these were caused by slips, trips, or falls. Just walking around a construction site can be hazardous for workers, but there are many other risks and possible injuries. Some of the most common types of injury accidents for construction workers include:

• Falls, slips, and trips
• Struck-by injuries (flying materials or moving objects)
• Falling objects
• Crushed by equipment
• Fires and explosions
• Crane and large equipment failures
• Malfunctioning tools or equipment

Construction site accident injuries are different from common repetitive motion injuries that occur over time. These are often significant accidents that can cause extreme harm or even take a life. For workers that sustain serious injuries from accidents that were preventable by their employer, they may need to seek the advice of a personal injury attorney to determine if they may be able to seek compensation beyond what is covered by Worker’s Compensation insurance.

Bystander Construction Accident Injuries

You do not need to be a construction worker to be harmed by these dangerous areas. With many construction projects underway during the summer, it is almost impossible to avoid being near one as you go about your life. Whether you are driving by or through road construction, or simply walking on a sidewalk near a building site, you could be suddenly the victim of a construction accident.

While bystander construction accidents are rarer than worker accidents, they do occur. Many of these accidents make the evening news as they tend to be catastrophic. Cranes have been known to topple suddenly due to poor planning on the part of the construction company. Trucks have backed over pedestrians or construction debris has struck vehicles or individuals. In most bystander construction accident injuries, the victim or their family is eligible to seek a personal injury lawsuit.

Stay Safe This Summer

Most construction accidents occur so fast that it is almost impossible to protect yourself. However, being aware and cognitive of the dangers around you could save your life. Some tips to avoid being a victim of construction accidents include:

• Avoid walking on sidewalks next to construction sites, scaffolding, and other equipment
• Be aware of any vehicles entering or exiting construction areas
• Listen and look – walking or riding bikes near construction areas while listening to music or looking at your phone could put you in harm’s way
• Follow the speed and road rules when driving through road construction
• Take another route to avoid construction areas
• Never enter a construction site without permission or the proper protective gear

Workers at construction sites are injured every day and they know the dangers. Bystanders do not wear hard hats or reflective vests, making them much more vulnerable to accident injuries. Do your best to avoid these areas, but know that if you are injured, you should call our team at the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown.

Construction Injury Accident Lawyer

Whether you are a construction worker that was seriously injured on the job, or you have a family member that sustained a fatal or serious injury caused by a construction accident, you need a lawyer on your side. These are very complex cases and there may be multiple entities that could be liable for injuries. Most construction projects involve landowners, multiple contractors, and government agencies. When an injury accident occurs, it may be necessary to determine who was at fault and pursue a construction accident injury lawsuit to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other losses or expenses.

We hope you stay safe this summer and that a construction accident does not cause you injury or take away a family member. However, if you are a victim of a construction accident in Alabama or Georgia, contact our team at the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown. Call our Atlanta, GA, or Montgomery, AL, location for a free legal consultation.