More than 25,000 workers died from work-related collisions and crashes from 2003 to 2016. That makes collisions and crashes the leading cause of job-related deaths in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control reports.
Those accidents mostly happen in motor vehicles, but those are not the only conveyances that injure and kill workers across the nation. Forklifts and other heavy equipment are particularly dangerous when operated improperly. Agricultural workers also use potentially deadly equipment. Even golf carts can lead to serious injuries and death while working. Those who ride in vehicles and conveyances are not the only ones endangered. Pedestrians, bicyclists and others also fall prey to work-related traffic fatalities.
In 2016, 1,252 workers in the United States died from roadway accidents. That accounted for 24 percent of all work-related deaths. The transportation and warehousing industry and its reliance upon over-the-road trucking leads all industries with 37 percent of all deaths attributed to work-related crashes and collisions that year. The construction industry accounted for 11 percent of work-related traffic fatalities, wholesale and retail 10 percent, and agriculture 7 percent.
While most work-related fatal crashes occurred on U.S. roadways, 587 also happened off roadways in 2016. That accounts for 11 percent of all deadly accidents attributed to collisions and crashes in 2016. Agricultural workers, construction workers, even those who work in golf carts to get convey them around various work grounds, suffer injuries in potentially deadly crashes, collisions and other accidents.
Human error often causes workplace crashes and collisions, which raises liability issues. An experienced workplace injury attorney can help ensure workers receive compensation when injured due to workplace crashes, collisions and similar accidents.
