Nonfatal Transportation Injuries Continue to Rise
Despite improvements in overall safety rates, the total number of nonfatal transportation injuries among construction workers has increased over the past decade. Between 2011–2012 and 2021–2022, nonfatal transportation injuries rose by nearly 15 percent. The majority of these injuries involved roadway incidents with motorized land vehicles, with trucks accounting for the largest share. These injuries frequently occur during routine jobsite activities such as deliveries, equipment movement, and vehicles entering or exiting work zones, where visibility and traffic control are often inadequate.
Why Specialty Trade Workers Face the Highest Risk
Specialty trade contractors experience the greatest exposure to transportation-related hazards in construction. CPWR data shows that specialty trade workers account for more than 60 percent of nonfatal transportation injuries and over half of fatal transportation injuries in recent years. Electricians, plumbers, laborers, ironworkers, and similar trades make up the majority of the construction workforce and are routinely required to work near moving vehicles and heavy machinery. These workers often have little control over site-wide traffic planning, yet are placed directly in harm’s way when backing vehicles, delivery trucks, and equipment operate in congested or poorly managed work zones.
Fatal Work Zone Crashes Are Increasing, Not Declining
One of the most troubling findings in the CPWR report is the sharp increase in fatal construction work zone crashes. From 2012 to 2023, fatal work zone crashes increased by more than 30 percent, and associated fatalities rose by nearly the same margin. A growing share of these crashes now occur at night, when reduced visibility makes construction environments even more dangerous. In New York, where overnight road and infrastructure work is common, these conditions present heightened risks for construction workers and motorists alike.
When Transportation Accidents Become Legal Claims
Transportation-related construction accidents often raise complex legal issues that extend beyond workers’ compensation. Many of these incidents involve failures in traffic control planning, inadequate signage or lighting, unsafe backing procedures, or negligent operation of vehicles and equipment. Responsibility may rest with general contractors, subcontractors, delivery drivers, equipment owners, or public entities responsible for roadway design and maintenance. Determining who controlled the work zone and who had a duty to protect workers is often central to these cases.
Why Speaking With a Construction Accident Lawyer Matters Early
After a transportation-related construction accident, contacting an experienced construction accident lawyer as early as possible is critical. These cases frequently involve multiple parties and overlapping responsibilities, making early investigation essential. While workers’ compensation may provide limited benefits, it does not address third-party negligence or fully compensate injured workers for long-term losses. A construction accident lawyer can act immediately to preserve time-sensitive evidence such as vehicle data, work zone plans, surveillance footage, and witness statements—evidence that can be lost or destroyed within days. Early legal involvement is also crucial to identify who controlled traffic safety, whether safety regulations were violated, and whether additional claims are available. Delays can significantly limit an injured worker’s legal options and ability to recover full compensation.
Protecting Your Rights After a Construction Transportation Injury
Transportation injuries on construction sites are not unavoidable risks of the job. The CPWR data makes clear that these incidents are frequent, predictable, and often preventable. When a construction worker is struck by a vehicle or injured in a work zone crash, the actions taken in the days immediately following the incident can determine whether accountability is possible. Speaking with knowledgeable construction accident attorneys can help ensure that evidence is preserved, responsible parties are identified, and injured workers are positioned to pursue the full compensation they may be entitled to under the law.