Road Construction Accidents and Personal Injury Claims
If you need to go through a construction zone, slow down and obey the directions. Lowering the speed is important because it is the only way to ensure that you will be able to identify the directions and that you can respond in time to prevent a pedestrian accident or a car accident in Florida.
Keep in mind that in these areas there will be obstacles, workers, and traffic and that pedestrians and vehicles can be unpredictable in these areas. Workers can slip through cars, or trucks can back out without warning. Lowering the speed and preparing for the unexpected reduces the risks of an accident.
Highway construction is necessary to maintain, repair, and improve roads. However, these work areas create many traffic accident risks, both for construction workers and for motorists. When a work accident on the road injures someone, expensive medical bills and other losses often result. Who should face responsibility for these losses?
Injuries to Construction Workers
While construction is an important job, it is also dangerous. These workers are at risk of injury every day. Because road construction workers are often not protected by vehicles, passing cars can hit them at any time. This is especially true when distracted, speeding, or negligent drivers pass through construction zones. Other workers, who can misuse the equipment or make other mistakes at work, can also injure construction workers.
People who suffer work-related injuries are entitled to recover losses from their employer, a third party, or both. The compensation depends on the circumstances of the accident, who was at fault and the type of insurance coverage that your employer or the third party may have.
In some cases, you can seek compensation through workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim against a third party. An experienced lawyer can review your situation and advise you on your rights.
What is Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law?
Florida is a no-fault state. These laws were created so that insurance premiums would stay lower because payment is paid on behalf of the driver who was at fault instead of going through costly court procedures, but means that the insurance may handle a claim differently than in some other states.
Florida Statute 627.736 requires all drivers to carry a car insurance policy that has two forms of coverage. This includes liability for property damage and personal injury protection. Both types of policies are required to have at least $10,000 in coverage.
- Property Damage Liability (PDL): This form of insurance covers damage caused by a covered individual to another person’s property. For example, if you “hit from behind” another person’s vehicle, then PDL insurance will cover the damage costs. However, it won’t cover damage expenses that happened to your own vehicle in this scenario.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This covers the injury of those who were riding the car when the accident occurred. This type of insurance coverage applies to everyone that qualifies regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This coverage applies not only to vehicular accidents but to other accidents including pedestrians and cyclists injured by vehicles and children injured on school buses.
Contact an Experienced Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a construction zone, the West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP can help you understand your legal options for obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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