Construction Site Heavy Equipment Accidents
Little children are often fascinated by the heavy machines seen on construction sites. This would include dump trucks, backhoes, cranes, cement mixing trucks, and other large machines. What little children cannot appreciate about these heavy machines is the catastrophic, even fatal, injuries that they can inflict on others in the blink of an eye. When operating these heavy machines, operators must always remember that a decision that takes a second to make can result in consequences that last a lifetime. Because of the harm that these machines can cause to others, workers who drive these machines (and the companies who allow them to do so) can be held civilly responsible for injuries and deaths that occur because of heavy equipment accidents.
Top Causes of Heavy Equipment Accidents
When heavy machine operators and those who work around them do not give these large and powerful vehicles the respect and care they require, injuries and deaths happen.
Heavy machine accidents happen when:
- A machine operator does not look around him or her before moving the machine. In many situations, the use of a spotter to help the driver safely move the vehicle from one location to another is not just a good idea but is essential to preventing accidents;
- A crane operator or an operator lifting a large and heavy load exceeds the limitations of the machine by either lifting too heavy of a load, lifting a load too high, or lifting during high wind conditions. If a lift is attempted in any one of these scenarios, the crane or lift may topple and the load can be spilled, which can jeopardize the lives of everyone in the vicinity;
- A worker on the ground may not see or hear a machine approaching and fails to take appropriate actions. While one might believe that heavy machines should be easily heard and seen, in the noise and confusion of a construction site this is not always true. If a worker does not get out of the way of an approaching machine, the worker may be crushed underneath the machine’s tires or tread or pinned between the machine and a wall or other immovable surface;
- The operator of the machine is not properly trained on how to safely operate the machine without causing injury to him- or herself or others;
- A mechanic responsible for maintaining the machine fails to notice a defect or issue with the machine that makes it unsafe for use. The mechanic may also notice the defect but fail to take appropriate measures to correct the defect and render the machine safe for use. Oftentimes the operator’s first indication that something is wrong with the machine is when it begins to fail. (However, it is also careless or negligent for an operator to suspect the machine may have problems but continue to use the machine without first having it examined by a professional.)
Heavy machines on a construction site differ from passenger cars on a roadway in that, while the owner of a car is usually the car’s driver, the owner of a heavy machine may be a rental company or construction company. A heavy machine accident lawsuit will need to look into whether these entities acted carelessly (i.e., by allowing an untrained individual to use the machine or failing to properly train a new employee on how to use the equipment) and, if so, what role these entities’ negligence played in causing the accident.
What To Do After a Heavy Equipment Accident
When you have been injured by a heavy machine on a construction site and after you have taken steps to safeguard and protect your health, you need to take steps to protect your legal rights and your ability to pursue compensation against any at-fault parties. You can do this by writing down as detailed of a description as possible of the accident, including the type of machine involved and the name or description of the driver. If possible, attempt to take pictures of the accident scene before it is cleaned up, the machine involved, and the driver of the machine. Write down the name and contact information for any witnesses or bystanders who observed the accident or who spoke with the driver of the machine after the accident. If required, write and file a written notice of injury accident with your employer.
Bring as much information as possible to Stern Law, PLLC and construction injury attorney Ken Stern. He will be able to advise you as to whether you may be entitled to bring a claim for compensation against an at-fault party involved in the equipment accident and, if so, he can assist you in doing just this. Heavy equipment accident victims face a steep road to recovery, but Ken Stern is committed to helping his clients every step of the way until they are able to continue on with their careers and lives. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today by calling (844) 808-7529 and speak with attorney Ken Stern about your heavy equipment accident injuries.
