Ohio’s place between the American heartland and the industrial Northeast ensures that constant freight and passenger traffic occupy the state’s many roads and highways. Constant use has led to increasing numbers of construction projects and workers on those roads, which can cause hazards for drivers.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that more than 120 construction workers die on U.S. roads every year. Many car and truck accidents are caused or made worse by construction conditions on highways.

A recent crash in a construction zone involving two semitrucks killed one of the drivers, an Ohioan who was pronounced dead at the scene on I-65 early on a Thursday morning. His rig collided with two vehicles that were preparing a construction site and partially blocking his lane.

No other injuries were reported, although all involved vehicles suffered damage. The crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. It is possible that the illuminated construction vehicles were not seen by a distracted truck driver.

Victims of truck accidents and their families, especially in the case of a fatality, have the right to seek reimbursement for medical or end-of-life expenses as a result of a motor vehicle accidents. Compensation for pain, suffering or damage received during an accident is also available through settlements or court actions.

Drivers should be vigilant of trucks and construction vehicles on the highway. Even low-speed or low-intensity collisions with semis or in construction zones can have injurious or even fatal consequences.

Source: Fox 59, “Ohio truck driver killed after early morning construction zone crash in Clinton County,” Sep. 07, 2017