Published by Free Forklift Injury Accident Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a forklift accident, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.
Table Of Contents
What’s the problem?
. Inadequate safety standards – including inadequate training, overzealous employers, and poor maintenance – are the primary causes of these accidents. Forklift accidents can be life-altering or deadly, and they can be prevented.
Causes of Forklift Accidents
Employers who are more concerned with getting the job done quickly than getting the job done safely may overlook safety standard requirements. Pushing a machine such as a forklift past its safety limits is bound to result in an accident. There are several types of construction forklift accidents:
- Tipping Over – Carrying an excess load can cause a forklift to tip over, often crushing construction workers in the path of the overloaded material, or crushing the forklift driver if a “Roll Over Protection System” has not been installed.
- Falling Debris – Construction site forklifts should have an “All Falling Object Protection System” installed to protect the operator from falling objects.
- Driver Ejection – The driver seats should be equipped with seat belts, arm rests, and “Grab Handles.”
- Hitting Pedestrians – Often times a worker fails to notice an oncoming forklift if it does not have an automatic signal alarm installed.
- Elevating Workers – A forklift is not made for the purpose of elevating workers, who may fall if an operator losses control.
- Unsafe Driving Conditions – Low visibility, narrow or congested pathways, obstructed intersections are all unsafe conditions to drive in.
Related Article
Consequences of a Forklift Accident
Forklift accidents usually happen when the forklift is moving, which means there is a driver behind the wheel when the accident occurs.
Even if they are obeying all rules and have updated certifications, forklift drivers involved in these types of accidents may experience guilt, PTSD, and other types of emotional stress. The individual may go on to develop a fear of forklifts, an accident recurrence, or may even decide never to drive or work around forklifts again.
In other cases, the driver is not at direct fault but may be a victim of the accident as a result of unmaintained equipment, lack of training, or pressure to perform risky behavior.
Many forklift accidents have witnesses. Depending on how serious the accident is and what takes place, these witnesses may themselves suffer from emotional trauma.
The injured person may even be a good friend or valued employee, which makes the emotional effects of what happened all the worse.
Depending on how the accident occurred, or who was at fault, employee morale takes a hit. Anxiety, PTSD, and other stress are real consequences for witnesses of forklift accidents.
Also Read:
See all related personal injury lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
FAQs
1. What Are the Key Factors That Lead to Forklift Collisions With Pedestrians?
Key factors include poor visibility, lack of proper training, inadequate pedestrian safety zones, operator distraction, and failure to follow safety protocols, significantly increasing collision risks with pedestrians.
2. How Can Load Dropping Accidents Be Prevented During Forklift Operations?
Load-dropping accidents can be prevented by ensuring proper load balancing, securing materials, using appropriate attachments, avoiding overloading, and regularly training operators on safe handling practices during forklift operations.
3. What Role Does Forklift Maintenance Play in Preventing Accidents?
Regular forklift maintenance prevents accidents by ensuring equipment is in optimal working condition, reducing mechanical failures, enhancing safety features, and identifying potential issues before they lead to accidents.
Do I have a Forklift Injury Accident Lawsuit?
The Personal Injury & Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in forklift injury accident lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.