Hit by a Passing Car While Working Construction in Atlanta: What Are My Options?
Any experienced contractor will tell you that working close to moving traffic is one of the most dangerous construction scenarios. If you were working at a construction site and you were struck by a passing vehicle, you may be recovering from serious and costly injuries. What are your options in this scenario? This is a question you might want to ask an experienced construction accident attorney in Atlanta.
Roadside Workers Are Incredibly Vulnerable to Passing Vehicles
The truth is that these accidents happen all the time. In late February, two utility workers were on the side of a road in a suburb of Atlanta when they were struck by a passing vehicle. Officials later revealed that the pair were working on a water line when the vehicle passed and hit them both. One suffered critical injuries, and he was lucky to have survived the incident. The other worker was also hospitalized, although doctors quickly stabilized them.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident, although criminal charges have not yet been announced. Officials also failed to reveal what caused the driver to veer into the workers. Perhaps the driver was speeding, or maybe they were distracted by their phone. Whatever the case may be, this collision highlights how vulnerable roadside workers are to passing vehicles.
Should I File a Workers’ Comp Claim or a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The first instinct for many injured workers is to file a workers’ compensation claim. You may have heard that workers’ comp is a no-fault system that provides you with financial support for missed income and medical bills. This is entirely true, and it always makes sense to report your accident to your supervisor as soon as possible. A workers’ comp claim may be your only source of support in many scenarios.
However, you should also consider the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. An auto accident claim has the potential to provide more compensation for lost wages and medical bills. Your lawsuit should also provide compensation for non-economic (psychological) damages, such as disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In other words, an auto accident claim can be far more rewarding and lucrative than a workers’ comp claim.
The most appropriate pathway depends entirely on your unique situation, which is why speaking with a lawyer about your specific situation is a logical decision. Sometimes, the at-fault driver lacks insurance coverage. In this situation, you can at least fall back on the support offered by workers’ comp. Sometimes, it makes sense to file both types of claims simultaneously.
Can a Construction Accident Attorney in Atlanta Help Me?
A construction accident attorney in Atlanta may be able to help if you were struck by a passing vehicle at your worksite. This type of accident is quite common, and it may lead to a workers’ comp claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both. To determine the most appropriate pathway toward justice and compensation, consider booking a consultation with Morain & Buckelew, LLC today.
Sources:
cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/2-waterline-workers-struck-by-vehicle-in-downtown-lawrenceville-1-in-critical-condition-police-say/
atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/02/26/2-utility-workers-hit-by-vehicle-downtown-lawrenceville-police-say/