Road safety authorities have urged motorists on many occasions to take extra care when they approach road construction zones. However, there are almost daily reports of accidents that occur where workers are busy improving the roads. Although most workers are likely aware of the dangers posed by their occupation, the negligence of road users can’t be anticipated and often results in the loss of life in a fatal road construction accident.
The media report states that a 22-year-old man from Kansas City was recently killed while he was in the process of collecting traffic cones on Northbound Kansas 61. The driver of a trash truck allegedly failed to observe traffic that had slowed down in a construction zone on the highway. In addition to threatening the lives of construction workers, drivers who approach such areas at a high rate of speed can also threaten the lives of other motorists.
According to the highway patrol report, the truck driver smashed into three vehicles prior to hitting the worker. Not only did he allegedly cause the death of the worker but also personal injuries to two occupants of the cars that he struck. The injuries suffered by the trash truck’s driver were reported to be non-serious. The motorists who were injured in this accident may want to pursue personal injury claims in an effort to recover the medical costs incurred.
The family of the Kansas City man who lost his life in the road construction accident is likely devastated while having to settle medical and end-of-life bills during their time of mourning. They may wish to pursue benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance fund, which may cover medical expenses along with funeral and burial costs. However, because the truck driver who was allegedly at-fault is a third-party, the family may want to obtain professional advice to determine their eligibility to file a possible civil claim of wrongful death in a Missouri court.
Source: ABC17 News, “Road construction worker killed in Reno County”, , July 24, 2014