Construction work is dangerous business. Whether a crew is building a skyscraper in the middle of a crowded city or constructing a highway across rural farmland, serious risks for injuries surround the construction site. Just about anyone can be injured in construction vehicle accidents, including drivers, pedestrians, and even the construction workers themselves.

What is a construction vehicle?

Accidents involving construction vehicles are among the most deadly types of accidents there are. Some of the most common types of construction vehicles involved in workplace accidents are:

  • Asphalt pavers
  • Bulldozers
  • Backhoes
  • Cherry pickers
  • Cranes
  • Dump trucks
  • Excavators
  • Forklifts

Because of the sheer size and power of these vehicles, accidents involving them can be fatal. That is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) strictly enforces safety regulations on all construction sites across the country.

Liability for Construction Vehicle Accidents Can Be Hard to Determine

Determining who is liable for your construction site accident involving a vehicle can be difficult and depends on the facts of your case. In many cases, you will need the assistance of a Fort Lauderdale construction site accident attorney to determine liability and help you recover the full compensation you deserve.

Most commonly, one of the following parties will be fully or partially liable for your accident and responsible for paying for your injuries.

The worker driving or operating the vehicle: Sometimes, the person driving or operating the machine causes the accident. For example, consider a driver of a backhoe working on a highway project. If that driver is moving dirt and accidentally dropped a pile of dirt onto another worker or passerby, that driver will be liable.

The backhoe driver’s employer might also be liable per the doctrine of vicarious liability.

The construction site employer: The employer or manager of the construction site project may also be responsible for the accident.

For example, consider a construction company that fails to train its employees how to properly operate a crane. If one of the employees accidentally causes the crane to tip over while in use, the employer would be liable for any resulting injuries or property damage because it neglected to provide its drivers with proper training for operating a crane.

Similarly, employers can be liable for accidents that happen as a result of OSHA or other safety violations.

The manufacturer of the construction vehicle: Finally, the company that manufactured the construction vehicle might be liable for any resulting accidents if the vehicle is defective. For example, if a brand new forklift has defective brakes, the manufacturer will be liable for any accidents resulting from those poorly manufactured brakes.

Remember, you may be entitled to more than just workers’ compensation for your accident. If you or someone you know was injured in an accident involving a construction vehicle, contact the Montero Law Center for help filing a third-party claim. Call us today at 954-767-6500 to set up a free consultation.