MoDOT work zone accidents and Missouri Workers Compensation Lawyers
A MoDOT worker was injured yesterday in a work zone accident in Nixa. I hope the injured worker is okay and has a speedy recovery.
Given all the recent large road work projects in Southwest Missouri and how poorly many drivers are driving through work zones this is unfortunately not a surprise. During the recent diverging diamond project at Battlefield and Highway 65 I witnessed on a daily basis many of the following.
The top five contributing circumstances for work zone crashes in 2014 were following too closely, inattention, improper lane use or changing lanes, failed to yield, and driving too fast for conditions — in that order. The average text takes five seconds to read. Traveling at 55 mph, you will travel more than the length of a football field- blindfolded! MoDOT’s slow moving maintenance operations move as slow as 10 mph and if you aren’t paying attention to the road, you will come up on the closed lane very quickly.
Any time highway workers are present on a Missouri roadway – whether it’s a long term lane closure, a moving operation, or shoulder work – your safety and the safety of those workers depends on drivers’ focus and attention. The state Slow Down and Move Over law includes MoDOT vehicles parked with amber/white lights flashing. Motorists are required to slow down and change lanes when approaching MoDOT vehicles or law enforcement and emergency vehicles with lights flashing. The law is simple: If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, move over to give workers and emergency personnel plenty of room to stay safe.
Hit A Worker Law & Penalties:
The law includes the following provisions:
- Imposes a fine for killing or injuring a highway worker of up to $10,000 and loss of their license for a year.
- Creates two new crimes — endangerment of a highway worker and aggravated endangerment of a highway worker.
- Sets a $75 fine for any person convicted of a second or subsequent moving violation within a work zone; any person convicted of a second or subsequent speeding or passing violation in a work zone will get a $300 fine.
- Expands the definition of highway worker to cover suppliers and delivery personnel.
- Repeals a sign covering and uncovering provision, so now informational signs will always remain unveiled in a work zone.
- Every year, motorists and highway workers are injured and killed in work zones across the country.
- Between 2010 and 2014, 46 people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes and an additional seven on the local system, for a total of 53 fatalities.
- Between 2010 and 2014, 2,614 people were injured in Missouri work zones on state system routes and an additional 733 on the local system, for a total of 3,347 injuries.
- Since 2000, 16 MoDOT employees have been killed in work zones.
https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/modot-worker-hit-by-vehicle-in-work-zone
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If you or a family member was injured at work or in an on the job accident, The Krebs Law Firm LLC offers a free case evaluation if you have questions.
Many people may be worried that they do not have the money to pay for a work comp attorney when they were injured at work but we only handle Missouri Work Comp, on a contingent fee basis. In other words, there is no fee unless we are successful in getting you the benefits that you deserve.
If you would like to speak to me simply call (417) 883-5886 or Toll Free 1 (800) 345-0535 for your free case evaluation and consultation today.
Our office is located at 2838 S. Ingram Mill, Springfield Missouri but if location is a concern for you, I personally handle Workers Comp cases all across Missouri.