The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released a report on the most common fatal work injuries in 2016. Once again topping the list are accidents involving transportation. In fact, the number of fatal work transportation accidents is now 40 percent of all work-related deaths nationwide.
There are many people whose occupations involve driving, including:
- Truck drivers
- Delivery drivers
- Salespeople
- Construction workers
- Movers
- Loggers
- Taxi, shuttle and ride share drivers
- Garbage collectors
- EMTs
- Mail carriers
Accidents involving these types of transportation jobs can occur on the road or on the jobsite. They may involve drivers and/or passengers. And in some cases, the driver is injured when they get out of their vehicle and become a pedestrian. This is especially true for workers who make many stops such as delivery drivers and trash collectors.
What is the second most common cause of worker deaths?
According to the BLS study, the second highest work fatality rate is caused by workplace violence or injury by animals. Unfortunately, these numbers rose over 2016 by 23 percent, which equals 866 cases.
Talk to your family
If you have a dangerous job such as these, it’s important that your family knows what to do in case the unthinkable happens. Let them know that they can apply for workers’ compensation death benefits. In some cases, they may also be able to file a lawsuit against a third party. These matters can be complex, especially when a family has just lost a loved one. It is best that people consult with a lawyer to ensure their rights are protected.
