Backover Construction Accident Lawyers
The construction industry has given Indiana world-renowned attractions like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, celebrated skyscrapers like the OneAmerica Tower, and infrastructure capable of housing and supporting millions of Hoosiers.
But Indiana’s architectural legacy and continued prosperity may come at a heavy cost. Construction workers endure some of the most dangerous working conditions in the private employment sector, with Indiana construction accidents claiming 24 lives in 2022 alone – more than 15 percent of the state’s workplace casualties.
Construction accidents can take many forms, including backover accidents, in which construction vehicles reverse into or over workers or other vehicles. Victims may require prolonged treatment that could exceed what a typical Indiana family can afford.
While compensation may be available if you have been hurt in a backover construction accident in Indiana, a favorable outcome is never guaranteed. To increase your chances of success, get in touch with the backover construction accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group, who have been protecting the rights of the wrongfully injured since 1998.
For a free case review with a dedicated Indiana backover construction accident lawyer, please call or text us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now.
Leading Causes of Backover Construction Accidents
Backover construction accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, though certain fact patterns are more common than others. Leading causes of backover construction accidents include:
· Neglecting blind spots – Just like other types of vehicles, construction vehicles have blind spots, which are areas outside of a driver’s normal field of vision. Neglecting to check blind spots before reversing a construction vehicle could bring about a serious collision.
· Spotting errors – Spotters play a pivotal role in construction safety by informing construction vehicle operators of any obstacles in their way. When a spotter fails to warn an operator that he or she is near a vehicle or worker, a backover construction accident may occur.
· Overloaded vehicles – Generally, there should only be one worker on a construction vehicle at any given time. Otherwise, passengers on an overloaded vehicle could fall off and land in the vehicle’s path.
· Broken backup alarms – Large construction vehicles should be equipped with backup alarms to make others aware of their presence. If a backup alarm is broken, a worker may not realize a vehicle is approaching until it is too late.
Hensley’s Indiana backover construction accident attorneys will analyze the circumstances surrounding your injury and determine the next steps to take if you are considering a case.
How to Prevent Backover Construction Accidents
The consequences of a backover construction accident can be dire. Fortunately, there are numerous precautions that can be taken to prevent backover construction accidents, such as the following:
· Lay out construction sites carefully – Construction vehicles are more likely to cause accidents when they are traveling in reverse. A construction site should be laid out in a way that minimizes the need to back up. Marking off high-traffic zones with signs and cones may further limit backover construction accidents.
· Alert workers – Workers should be alerted when vehicles are backing up and should not wear headphones on site so that the sounds of announcements, backup alarms, and horns do not get muffled or drowned out by music.
· Make use of spotters – While spotters are not infallible, an extra pair of eyes looking out for construction vehicle operators can go a long way towards curtailing backover construction accidents.
· Educate operators – Operators of construction vehicles should be educated about best safety practices, such as checking their blind spots, communicating with their spotters, and searching for possible hazards.
· Increase visibility – Other workers on a construction site could increase their visibility by wearing reflective clothing.
· Maintain construction vehicles – Construction vehicles must be inspected and maintained regularly so that they do not break down. Backup alarms, horns, brakes, lights, and other safety features should be repaired or replaced if they are not functional, while mirrors and windows should be cleaned for peak clarity.
· Install safety technology – Proximity devices and video cameras can be installed in construction vehicles to curb backover accidents.
Who Is Liable for an Indiana Backover Construction Accident?
Safety is of the utmost importance, but the reality is that a backover construction accident may still occur even if every guideline is followed. When it does, a civil case could be initiated against the individuals and entities who may be liable for it, including:
· Vehicle operators – The operator of a construction vehicle could be culpable for a backover accident caused by human error.
· Vehicle owners – The vehicle’s owner may share blame as well, both for the misconduct of the operator and for negligent upkeep of the construction vehicle.
· Developers and property owners – In Indiana, developers and property owners orchestrating construction projects have a duty to create safe working environments and could be held accountable if poor conditions on a job site lead to a backover construction accident.
· General contractors and subcontractors – Most construction projects are overseen by general contractors. The general contractor is also in charge of implementing safeguards to reduce the injury rate and could bear responsibility when a backover accident occurs, as could any subcontractors hired by the general contractor if their actions contribute to such an incident.
· Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers – If a malfunctioning backup alarm or other vehicular defect is a factor in a backover construction accident, the item’s manufacturer, distributor, or retailer might be pursued.
In some instances, multiple parties might have different levels of legal liability for the same backover construction accident, for which they might have different levels of fiscal liability.
In light of how many defendants there could be, it is crucial to go after all of them within the time allotted by law, known as the Statute of Limitations, because failure to do so could prohibit a plaintiff from full financial recovery.
Rest assured that our detail-oriented Indiana backover construction accident lawyers will take pains to dot every “i” and cross every “t” so that a regulatory oversight will not stall your case.
What Our Backover Indiana Construction Accident Attorneys Can Do for You
When thousands of pounds of metal back over you, the results can be catastrophic, overwhelming you with astronomical bills while hindering your ability to earn a living. Very quickly, you could find it hard just to make ends meet, much less secure the resources necessary to stave off ruin.
You need attorneys who can support you through this shaky period and get you back on solid ground. You need the backover construction accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group. No adversary is too intimidating or challenge too great to stop us from getting justice for our clients.
When you hire Hensley, we will immediately launch a far-ranging investigation into the causes of your accident and everyone who may be at fault for it. If evidence of wrongdoing exists, our Indiana backover construction accident lawyers will work tirelessly to find it.
Once we have assembled an airtight case against every at-fault party, we will endeavor to negotiate a settlement that compensates you for the entirety of your losses, including:
· Medical expenses
· Lost wages
· Mental and emotional anguish
· Pain and suffering
· Diminished quality of life
· Long-term impairment
· Loss of consortium
· Punitive and wrongful death damages (if applicable)
And if we do not receive an offer that reflects the true value of your claim, we are more than willing to go trial for a verdict that does, unlike many of our competitors, who rarely, if ever, set foot inside of a courtroom.
We realize you might be reluctant to spend more money when you can least afford it, so you may be pleased to learn that our firm works on a contingency basis. This means that you won’t have to pay us anything until our Indiana backover construction accident attorneys win your case.
We are representing you because we believe in you, and we are willing to take on all the risks involved in making you whole again.
Reach Out to Our Indiana Backover Construction Accident Lawyers
Hensley Legal Group has been fighting for the everyday people of Indiana for more than 25 years. If you are reeling from the effects of your injuries, reach out to our Indiana backover construction accident lawyers to explore your legal options.
You can schedule a complimentary consultation with one of Hensley’s accomplished backover construction accident attorneys by calling or texting us at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form today.
Available 24/7
Free Case Review
You won’t pay any fees until we win your case.
It’s easy - you can: