At around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020, five construction workers were tragically injured when a box truck crashed into the crew’s flatbed truck. The workers had just parked the flatbed and were beginning their shift when the box truck, owned by Shleppers Moving & Storage, rear-ended their vehicle, leaving two in serious condition and hospitalizing several others.
The accident occurred near the Randall’s Island exit on the Queens-bound side of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in Manhattan. Two workers, ages 44 and 55, were standing on the flatbed when the collision occurred and were abruptly knocked onto the roadway. Both workers were taken to Elmhurst Hospital where the younger man fought for his life and remained in critical condition while the older man was deemed to be in serious condition.
Additionally, the 38-year-old woman who drove the flatbed truck and two other workers sustained minor injuries. It is believed that at least two were pinned between a retaining wall and truck as a result of the accident.
The 25-year-old driver for Shleppers Moving & Storage remained at the scene and was not immediately charged. The moving company declined to comment on the situation when contacted by New York Daily News on the day of the incident.
The victims of this horrible accident are in our thoughts. We pray for their quick and full recoveries.
Especially during this stressful time when many people are able to work from home, construction workers continue to expose themselves to many risks. Workers on highways, roads, bridges, and tunnels are exposed to hazards both inside and outside of the work zone. Not only must they take precautions against hazards such as falls, electrocutions, stuck-ins/betweens, but also the risks associated with oncoming traffic. It is crucial that all signs, barricades, and flags are set up properly and are visible to surrounding motorists.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that each year, more than 100 workers are killed and more than 20,000 are injured in highway and street construction projects. About half of these deaths are attributed to workers being struck by a motorist passing through the work zone. These numbers prove that road construction is an incredible risk to worker safety. Efforts must be made to address the extreme dangers associated with the necessary work that is done on our highways. All workers have the right to a safe work environment.
The attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy are devoted to achieving justice for workers who have been severely injured in accidents caused by another party’s negligence. Our proven track record includes results such as a $5,500,000 settlement for a worker who was pinned against steel sheeting when an excavator suddenly struck him. Additionally, a $3,000,000 settlement for a landscaper who was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on a highway in New York.
If you or someone you know has been severely injured in an accident, please contact the experienced lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy for a free legal consultation by calling 212-736-5300 or filling out our online contact form.