A warning for motorists who speed through work zones and why they need to pay more attention.
Road construction season is now underway in Michigan. Orange barrels can be seen up and down area streets. Projects near our main office in Farmington Hills include construction on 11 Mile Road, 13 Mile Road, Drake Road, and southbound M-5.
This is not just an inconvenience for motorists but presents real danger. Statistics from 2016 show 4,908 work zone crashes, 75 serious injuries, and 17 people lost their lives. MDOT says most of these crashes were preventable and encourages people to watch their speed.
Road construction is a very dangerous job for the people who are building, fixing, and maintaining our streets. Highway workers are exposed to great risk each day from distracted and speeding drivers.
Michigan law imposes stiff criminal penalties of up to 1 year in prison for injuring and up to 15 years in prison for killing a highway construction or maintenance worker. Cash penalties of up to $7,500 are also possible.
Family members of highways workers killed on-the-job can also seek survivor benefits under workers’ compensation. This can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. While these benefits are paid by the insurance company, reimbursement can be sought from the at-fault driver.
In addition, a civil lawsuit can be filed against the at-fault driver seeking additional money for pain and suffering. Nothing can replace a human life but distracted and speeding drivers will pay a price!
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Call (855) 221-2667 for a free consultation today.
Related information:
With 17 killed in Michigan work zones last year, MDOT says: “Work zone safety is in your hands”
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos.
