Highway Worker Killed By Tractor Trailer
There is no doubt that highway workers have very dangerous jobs. Whether it’s the highway safety patrol or roadway construction workers, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and tractor trailer accidents have been climbing in recent years. In 2018, 1,256 injuries and 9 fatalities were reported in work zones and other areas involving highway workers in Virginia. Virginia is still seeing a large number of our highway workers suffering serious injuries. Unfortunately, this grim statistic increased on February 1, 2022, as a Virginia highway worker was killed by a tractor trailer accident.
Virginia Highway Worker Killed By Tractor Trailer
On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, a VDOT worker was killed in Augusta County while sitting in a crash truck. At the time of the incident, the VDOT worker was stationary in the northbound lane on Interstate 81 with an arrow board and amber lights flashing. The highway crew was working to place cones to set up a work zone. A tractor trailer traveling northbound rear-ended the crash truck, sending it into the median where it overturned.
Highway Workers Have Claims for Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation
In situations where highway workers are injured, they often will have claims in Virginia for both personal injury as well as workers’ compensation. If the injury occurs while they are performing the duties of their job and the job increases the risk of injury, their claim may be covered by Virginia workers’ compensation as well as the liability insurance policy of the trucking company.
If both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims are pursued, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier may require reimbursement of at least some of the funds paid out if the personal injury claim is settled. It’s important for you to seek the advice of an attorney on this issue, as a lawyer may be able to negotiate a lower lien payment from the workers’ compensation insurance company. Even though the workers’ compensation insurance company may require reimbursement, workers’ comp will usually cover medical treatment while the employee is recovering and may offer ongoing medical coverage as well.
Key Takeaways
The key takeaway . . . WATCH OUT FOR OUR HIGHWAY WORKERS! Slow down, move away from vehicles on the side of the roadway. Drive more cautiously during bad weather events. Highway workers are working to improve everyone’s traveling safety. Let’s take care of them!
How Long Can I Wait to Call a Lawyer?
When you’re injured in an auto accident in Virginia or West Virginia, you must be aware of the statute of limitations which applies in your particular case. The statute of limitations refers to the time you have following an accident to file a lawsuit. In both Virginia and West Virginia, this time limit depends upon the circumstances of your accident and injury. The time limitation starts to run on the date of the accident. Filing a claim with an insurance company does not extend or delay the time.
The longer you wait to contact an attorney, the greater the risk that the statute of limitations time limit will expire. If it does, you may lose your right to sue the at-fault party and recover compensation for your injuries. If you’ve been seriously injured and someone else is at fault, you should contact a personal injury attorney at the earliest possible time. Contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer early in your case will help prevent deadlines from expiring and will allow your case to be properly prepared.
To be able to determine whether you have a case, your lawyer needs to thoroughly investigate the details about your accident and injuries. Investigating the accident and collecting information is much easier if it occurs quickly after the accident has happened. A time delay can result in many problems like lost evidence and witnesses who can’t be found.
When you hire a lawyer to handle your car accident claim, he or she will first negotiate with the insurance company to try to settle your claim. If settlement negotiations break down, your attorney will prepare to file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. For this reason, it is especially important that you get an experienced lawyer to help with your case, such as one certified through the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Talk With A Virginia Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered significant injuries in a car accident in Virginia or West Virginia, Ritchie Law Firm is here to help. DON’T GET HURT TWICE! The experienced, certified attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm has helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. Contact us by phone at 800-277-6124 or by using our online contact form.
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Ritchie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Winchester, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Staunton, and also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV.
