Road construction on Florida roadways is nothing new. Construction is often performed during nighttime hours in an attempt to decrease congestion during daylight hours. Speed limits are typically reduced in construction zones in an attempt to protect the lives of construction workers. A recent tragic accident took the life of one construction worker whose family may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning. Two vehicles collided in a construction zone, and the impact caused one of the vehicles to veer into the construction zone. The vehicle struck one of the construction workers and also ran into some construction equipment.
The worker who was hit was transported to an area hospital. Attempts to revive the worker failed, and he was pronounced dead. The accident remains under investigation. It is not known if speed was a contributing factor to the crash.
Road construction in Florida can be risky work and all the more so at night when visibility can become an issue. While drivers are typically required to slow down in construction areas, this does not always happen. Workers leave their families to perform their jobs, fully expecting to return to them at the end of a shift. When this does not happen, the shock to the families can be immense. While no one can turn back time and undo the tragic outcome of an accident, a consultation with an attorney experienced in dealing with workers’ compensation cases can advise the surviving family on what benefits may be available.
