Arizona gets hot, with temperatures in July sending the mercury rising to an average of 106 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix. The extreme heat is not good for roads, causing them to crack, buckle and even melt. Though many dread the sight of a work zone, repairing the roads is a necessary safety measure. Unfortunately, they aren't a safe environment for road crews. How many road construction workers die a year? Too many, though the number of motorists who die in construction zone car crashes is even higher.
How Many Road Construction Workers Die a Year in the U.S.?
The number of crashes in roadway work zones is on the rise in the U.S. One study found that an
estimated 64% of all road construction areas had car crashes in the work zone in 2021. When accidents occur where road crews work, the risk of injury and fatality is high. Between 2003 and 2017, CDC data showed that 103 road construction crew members died on the job, and 60% of those fatalities were due to a car hitting a worker within the work zone.
Of those sites experiencing vehicle accidents within the work zone, 7% indicated a worker died as a result of the crash. In 2019, an estimated
765 accidents resulting in 141 pedestrian or cyclist fatalities occurred within a work zone. The number increased to 774 crashes, with 170 pedestrian or cyclist fatalities, in 2020.
Vulnerable Activities
When asking how many road construction workers die a year, it helps to understand who is most vulnerable. Most fatalities in road construction zones are due to vehicle incursions into areas where workers are outside vehicles or work equipment. The types of workers most at risk include the following:
- Road work crews
- Surveyors
- Utility crews
- Landscaping crews
When drivers don't pay attention or ignore speed limits and signage, nothing stands between a working pedestrian and an irresponsible driver. If you've lost a loved one in a work zone accident, a
Phoenix wrongful death attorney may be able to help you pursue just compensation.
How Many Road Construction Workers Die a Year in Arizona?
Arizona is one of 14 states with a 75-mph speed limit on most rural interstates. On other major highways, the speed limit is 65. Transportation incidents accounted for
30% of all work fatalities in 2020. That year, the private construction industry had 20 deaths, and the construction and extraction industry had 25, with seven laborers in that group losing their lives on the job.
However, no data delineate road construction worker fatalities from other types of construction work. The Arizona Department of Transportation indicated 15 fatalities in work zones in 2019 and nine in 2020. Motorists experience more deaths in road construction areas than road crews, with an average of 80% of all work zone fatalities.
Where Can You Get Legal Help for Road Construction Accident Fatalities?
If you are asking how many road construction workers die a year because you've lost a loved one in this type of accident, Sargon Law Group can help. Our team of Phoenix personal injury lawyers have experience in handling wrongful death claims. While no amount of money compensates for your loss, we can help you pursue a fair settlement if you want to take action against the responsible party.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation.
