Work Fatalities Involving Transportation Injuries Are on the Rise

In 2016, for the first time in over a decade, there were more than 5,000 work-related fatalities in the United States. Those are 5,000 individuals that left their home to earn a paycheck, only to not walk back through the door when their shift ended. Over the past few years, this number has been steadily increasing at an alarming rate. How are all of these people becoming injured while at work? For approximately 40% of these cases, work-related transportation injuries were to blame.

Transportation accidents accounted for over 2,000 worker deaths in 2016 alone. These numbers surpass the other leading causes of work-related fatalities, including injuries from workplace violence, slips/falls/trips, harmful contact with equipment, exposure to hazardous substances, and fires/explosions. These are the highest rates of fatality seen since 2007. Other substantial figures include:

• Workplace vehicle crashes occur approximately once every four minutes.
• Nearly half of transportation-related work fatalities involve a vehicle running over or backing over a worker.
• About 70 accidents result in injuries on a daily basis.
• 12 accidents result in a casualty each week.

In any occupation that works closely with equipment, vehicles, or large trucks, there is a potential hazard of injury and death. Possible injuries include being hit or run over, falling from moving machines, and getting crushed under an overturned vehicle. Under the right circumstances, any of these incidents can be fatal. They are not just limited to one field either, as agriculture, industrial, and manufacturing industries all have high transportation fatality numbers. However, preventative measures rely heavily on the industry in question. The guidelines for ensuring transportation safety in all sectors include:

• Identify who is at risk in all situations.
• Determine the locations and times in which accidents commonly occur.
• Implement and practice vehicle and worker orientation and safety techniques.
• Ensure that operational pathways are free of obstructions.
• Separate pedestrians from vehicle roadways.
• Follow directions, speed limits, and priority signage.

If you or a loved one have sustained injuries at work, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, personal injury damages, or both, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. Each situation is unique and requires investigation and attention to detail to identify the responsible party and recover the compensation that will address your financial needs. At Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P., we work diligently to uncover the facts of the case and earn money owed to you. Contact a San Jose, CA workplace injury attorney today to take the first step to getting your life back on track. Call us today at (408) 289-1417 to schedule your free consultation.

• Work Can Kill You And It's Getting Worse,Transportation Incidents Top Cause
• National census of fatal occupational injuries in 2016
• Facts and Statistics – Work Zone Safety