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Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) have issued a warning on roadside construction zone accidents. ODOT officials are reaching out to the public to help keep roadside workers safe.
One construction zone accident occurs every two hours on Ohio roads, and 1,000 workers have already been injured this year. An additional 17 workers have died. Last year, there were more than 5,000 accidents in roadside construction zones.
ODOT officials are calling on drivers to slow down, stay alert and move over when approaching roadside construction zones. Motorists should be on the lookout for orange barrels and signs alerting to the presence of roadside construction areas. State law enforcement and ODOT officials are also out of patience with motorists who are texting behind the wheel. Troopers with the Ohio State Patrol have also allegedly spotted drivers reading books and newspapers.
The Ohio Highway Patrol has warned out-of-state drivers unfamiliar with the roads are the greatest threat to workers. Drivers unfamiliar with the area may be unable to anticipate reduced speed limits.
Where Can Injured Construction Workers Get Help?
Roadside workers have no protection against speeding, distracted or confused drivers. Injuries sustained after being hit by a car travelling at high speeds are likely to be significant and capable of causing severe disability.
Finding financial help after surviving an accident can be a confusing process for many workers. In Ohio, injured construction workers might have options to receive workers’ compensation or disability benefits.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC – Columbus Workers’ Comp Lawyers