Memphis Trucking Accident Attorney Discusses Work Zone Risks for Highway Workers
There are still plenty of clear, dry days left before winter weather comes along. There is still grass to mow, there are areas to repave, and there are many other repairs which must be made. Fortunately, Tennessee Department of Transportation workers are still out in full force, keeping our state’s highways in good repair. Some drivers tend to complain about increased traffic near work zones, or about having to take detours because of road construction, but more often than not, people appreciate the work that gets done on the roads because once the work is finished, travel is safer and easier than it was before.
Unfortunately, road work does create risks for construction workers. Work zones have reduced speed limits, because there are workers present in the roadway, very close to the vehicles which are passing through. Fines for speeding in work zones are higher than they are for speeding in other areas, because of the increased risk to public safety. Whether you see an orange sign, flashing lights, or a lighted sign board, pay close attention to it, slow down, and switch lanes if those signals indicate that you must do so. The workers who are doing their jobs near or in the roadway depend, in large part, on the safe and responsible driving of everyone who passes through the work zone, in addition to their own safe work habits.
A recent accident on Interstate 24 left two TDOT workers injured after a tractor trailer collided with their utility truck. There had been a previous accident in the area, and traffic was moving slowly because of it. Workers were also using mowing equipment along the roadway. When the men were driving through the area in their TDOT work truck, they decided to stop and use the sign on the back of their truck to alert drivers to the road conditions ahead. They parked their work truck on the shoulder, and turned on the lighted “move over” sign on the back of the truck. While the men were inside the truck, the driver of a tractor trailer failed to yield as it approached, and collided with the TDOT truck. The men were wearing their seatbelts when the accident occurred, but both of them were seriously injured and were transported to the hospital.
Highway construction workers and others who are injured by the actions of truck drivers should know that trucking accidents are different than other types of motor vehicle accidents, both because of the amount of injury and damage that they can cause, as well as the manner in which they are handled, because they involve both drivers and business entities, like trucking companies. If you have been injured in any type of Tennessee trucking accident, the knowledgeable Memphis Trucking Accident Attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC will sit down with you to learn about your case, explain your options, and help you decide how to proceed. To learn more, call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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