Tennessee Injury Lawyer Blog

Negligent driving in a construction zone created a sticky situation near Nashville Friday, after a tractor-trailer crashed into a TDOT truck that was carrying adhesive used to lay down roadway reflectors. Apparently the driver of the tractor-trailer had noticed the signs indicating that he needed to get over to the left lane because he was going through a construction zone and had done so. However, he thought the construction zone had ended before it actually had and got back over to the right-hand lane, at which point he crashed into the TDOT truck, pushing it into the median. The driver of the TDOT truck was taken to the hospital with injuries, but is expected to recover. Crews worked feverishly to remove the adhesive from the road, a task which was made difficult by freezing temperatures and the fact that the substance is made specifically to adhere to the road.

This situation illustrates the need for drivers to be especially aware when driving through construction zones, not only of where such zones start and stop but also where construction workers and vehicles are located throughout the construction zone. When in doubt, it is simply safer to remain in the appointed lane until one is completely sure he or she is free and clear of the construction zone. The driver of the TDOT truck was injured, but he got somewhat lucky in that he was actually sitting in a vehicle and not on foot like many workers in construction zones frequently are.

Continue reading "TDOT Truck Rear-ended by Tractor-Trailer, Driver Injured" »

Search “construction worker hit by car” or some derivation thereof on any search engine and you will literally find hundreds of articles discussing incidents where construction workers who were working on roadside jobs were struck by vehicles and suffered serious injury or death. The human body is an amazing organism, but it is no match for a moving vehicle, whether it is a semi or a Smart Car. Tennessee recognizes that proper road maintenance necessitates that people such as construction workers, utility company employees, and litter crews will have to work on or along the road. Accordingly, the duty to drive as a reasonable person would dictates that drivers react appropriately where they know workers will be working on or near the road.

Very rarely does any work take place along the road without it being made clear to drivers in the area that such work is taking place nearby. Construction zones are often delineated by orange and white barrels and signs that declare that men are working in the area. Utility crews are usually likewise noted by barrels or orange cones and signs warning the driver that utility work is being conducted. Litter crews generally do not use barrels, but may use cones, trucks with flashing lights, and, in the case of certain litter crews, fashionable vests that indicate why a particular individual is assisting the road maintenance effort on that particular day. Such efforts are often conspicuous, and rarely will a defendant in a Knoxville personal injury suit be able to claim that he or she was unaware of work being done in the area where the accident occurred.

Continue reading "Avoiding Negligence in Construction Zones" »

Did you know that several thousands of eye injuries occur each year in the United States? Many of these injuries, in fact, are preventable, occurring as a result of someone else’s negligence. When an eye injury is caused by another’s negligent acts, eye injury lawyers can hold the negligent party responsible by ensuring that you receive fair and just compensation, including compensation for your medical bills, treatment costs and emotional damages.

Compensation, however, will depend on several factors—too detailed to discuss here. But you should know that eye injuries often occur on-the-job, particularly on construction jobs. Work-related injuries in Tennessee are covered under Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system. Under this system, you can be entitled to medical expenses, reasonable and necessary therapy and treatment, lost present and future wages, and other associated costs.

Since the comp laws are based on a no-fault system, you may be entitled to benefits for your eye injury even if you were at fault. Workers who have suffered an eye injury on-the-job may find it helpful to seek legal representation from a skilled East Tennessee workers compensation attorney.

Continue reading "East Tennessee Eye Injury Lawyer" »

Personal injuries on construction sites are an everyday occurrence in the United States and Tennessee. In fact, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 13 construction workers out of every 100,000 died on the job in 2006. The same report also indicated that six percent of all workers are either hurt or sickened while at work.

Not only are workers hurt on construction sites but so are innocent pedestrians and motorists. Each year, we hear of slip and fall injuries, pedestrian injuries and motor vehicle accidents that occur as a result of road, sidewalk or building construction. Sometimes, innocent parties and workers are injured because of negligent or careless handling of construction equipment, chemicals, machines, and tools. Falling objects are another example.

Common causes of construction injuries include:

• Falling from roofs and scaffolding


• Falling objects


• Toxic chemical exposure


• Defective machinery or equipment giving rise to products liability


• Explosions, fires, electrocution and chemical spills


• Insufficient training


• Lack of proper safety equipment


• Construction equipment on sidewalks and roads


• Failure to adhere to federal, state or municipal building codes and workplace safety regulations

Continue reading "What You Need to Know About Construction Accidents" »