Every year there are multiple accidents occurring in highway work zones in North Carolina and other states. Work zones on the highway can be dangerous for construction and maintenance workers who are trying to build, repair and work on our highways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that statistics show multiple worker fatalities in work zones each year.
In November of 2012, a North Carolina transportation employee was killed after an accident while working on Highway 12 south of Bonner Bridge. Crews were working to remove sand brought by Hurricane Sandy and the accident happened at night when the road conditions were challenging.
It is important for motorists to take care while driving in construction zones to decrease the number of work zone accidents. North Carolina has a number of laws to try to decrease work zone accidents and require motorists to move over to change lanes whenever possible if approaching construction vehicles with flashing lights. If a driver cannot change lanes, the driver needs to slow down while passing a construction vehicle.
When a worker is injured or killed in North Carolina in a work zone accident, it is important that a workers’ compensation claim is filed and an experienced attorney is consulted regarding the claim.
