GOLDLAW – West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers, Car Accident, Slip & Fall – Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb

Tag: construction site accident

  • Deputy Michael Hartwick Killed In Hit-And-Run Accident

    Deputy Michael Hartwick Killed In Hit-And-Run Accident

    Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hartwick was struck and killed by a construction vehicle on Sept. 22 in a hit-and-run crash along I-275 in St. Petersburg.

    Hartwick, a 19-year veteran of the agency, was working a security shift at a construction site near the Howard Frankland Bridge, when he was struck by a front-end loader operated by a worker.

    According to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, after the crash, the worker drove to a parking area. After parking the front-end loader, he handed his helmet and safety vest to another worker, said he had “killed a deputy,” and subsequently left the scene. A search ensued, and the worker was taken into custody at 8:40am Friday morning.

    “Struck By” Crashes are a Leading Cause of Law Enforcement Officer Deaths

    Besides homicides, motor vehicle-related incidents kill more law enforcement personnel than any other type of incident. From 2011-2020, 286 officer line-of-duty deaths came as the result of vehicle crashes (21% of total fatalities). 114 of these deaths were the result of being struck by a vehicle (8% of total).

     Wrongful Death Claim Possible

    Because the hit-and-run driver has been identified, the family of Deputy Michael Hartwick may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim pending an investigation.

    Families of victims killed in hit-and-run accidents often seek a personal injury/wrongful death claim to cover the costs of funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. If you need help with such a claim, our experienced attorneys can speak with you about your options.

    Notice: As a personal injury law firm, we frequently provide analysis and opinion on news stories in the hope that the family and friends of the victims may gain some valuable insight into our theories of negligence surrounding the available facts. Respectfully, our hearts and thoughts are with those who have suffered a catastrophic injury or death.

     If you would like a free, confidential consultation about an incident, please check our website, or contact us today at 561-222-2222.

     

  • Construction Worker Killed After Being Hit by Car on I-95

    Construction Worker Killed After Being Hit by Car on I-95

    An early morning accident on Interstate 95 in Miami led to the death of a worker doing construction nearby on Sunday, February 16.

    Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officials say the accident happened around 2 AM on Sunday, in the southbound lanes near 62nd Street. They report that a black SUV crashed into a white Toyota sedan. The collision sent the SUV flying into the nearby construction zone, where it struck a worker. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

    Sadly, construction site injuries and deaths are not uncommon. The Bureau of Labor statistics reports there are about 150,000 construction site injuries every year in the US. Annually, more than 300 people die in work-related accidents in the state of Florida alone. The most common causes of construction site deaths and injuries are falls and interactions with equipment, but failing to secure a work site can lead to all sorts of accidents.

    Companies that set up construction close to a major highway like I-95 need to be careful to protect workers from accidents involving vehicles. This may include things like putting up the proper signage, diverting traffic when crews need to work on the road itself or very close to it, and making sure workers are kept a safe distance from moving traffic in all situations.

    Drivers should also be especially careful driving in or near highway work zones. In some areas, fines for traffic violations increase in these areas in order to ensure drivers continue at a slow and safe speed.