A construction worker sustained serious job injuries after he was struck by a vehicle at a Newport Beach work site. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the pedestrian collision happened in the 8800 block of Pacific Coast Highway in the Newport Coast area the morning of May 13, 2010. The construction worker was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

I sympathize with this injured worker and his family. I hope he has not sustained life-threatening injuries or catastrophic injuries that will keep him from returning to work. Please keep this worker and his family in your prayers. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Pedestrian Accidents

There were two fatalities and 39 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in Newport Beach, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County, 31 people died and 785 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.

What Caused this Accident?

Based on this news report, we do not know too many details about the circumstances of the crash. Where was the worker at the time of the collision? Did the motorist veer off the roadway and strike him? Was the driver intoxicated or distracted? Was he or she speeding through a construction zone or driving too fast given the roadway conditions? I trust officials are investigating these and other issues in order to determine what occurred here.

If the driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he or she could be held financially responsible for the accident and the injuries caused to the construction worker. In addition, because the worker was on-the-job at the time, he could also claim workers compensation benefits. However California workers compensation benefits are inadequate when it comes to covering medical expenses, loss of wages and loss of future earnings if the worker becomes permanently disabled or is unable to return to work.

Claims for Compensation

In such cases a third-party claim can be filed, for example, against another negligent party who caused the injuries. In this case an example of a third party would be the driver. In other construction accident cases, third parties could be contractors, sub-contractors or even the manufacturer of a defective product such as equipment. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled third party claims on behalf of injured workers will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.

What steps can cities and construction companies take to keep their workers safe from passing vehicles?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.