Concrete Mixer Truck Collisions: How Injured Workers Can Recover Financially

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Concrete mixer truck collisions can result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries for construction workers and contractors. The New York workers’ compensation process was created to help injured workers by providing financial compensation through injury claims. In some cases, workers may have the option to file a lawsuit against a third party responsible for their concrete mixer truck collision injury.

The seasoned New York City cement truck accident lawyers at Schwartzapfel Lawyers can help you review your options for recovering financially following a collision. So, please, don’t let your bills pile up as you heal, not when you don’t have to. Call us now at 516-342-2200 for a free consultation and/or case evaluation.

No matter your situation, it will be our honor and privilege to fight for you!

What Kind Of Injuries Are Caused By A Concrete Mixer Truck Collision?

Concrete mixer trucks are large, heavy vehicles, and vehicles the size of a cement truck can cause injuries substantially worse than a typical sedan crash. Workers involved in concrete mixer truck collisions may experience:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Head injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can occur if a worker is struck by the truck or thrown upon impact. TBIs can vary from concussions to more severe brain trauma, which can affect your memory, your ability to work, and your ability to care for yourself for the rest of your life.

Back Injuries

The force of a collision can lead to back injuries, like herniations or damage to the nerves between your back and your legs. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis that may not be reversible. Back injuries can be lifelong and might require surgery.

Crush Injuries

Crush injuries occur when a worker is caught between the concrete mixer truck and another object. The immense pressure can cause trauma to body tissues, leading to broken bones, severe bruising, bleeding, or even loss of a limb. Significant crush injuries can disrupt blood flow and cause serious complications like organ damage, requiring immediate medical intervention and often surgery.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are frequent in concrete mixer truck collisions, particularly during rollovers or impacts with other vehicles or buildings. The severity can range from simple fractures that can heal with immobilization to compound fractures where the bone pierces the skin, necessitating surgery and a longer recovery period.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, sprains, or strains can occur due to the force of impact during the collision. These injuries can cause severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility. While they’re typically non-life-threatening, they can result in chronic pain and long-term physical therapy if not properly treated.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries are especially dangerous as they may not be immediately noticeable following a collision. The force of impact can cause internal bleeding or organ damage, and broken ribs can puncture vital organs. These injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

Cuts And Lacerations

Cuts and lacerations from broken glass and metal shards are common in concrete mixer truck collisions. Deep cuts can lead to significant blood loss and risk of infection. Some lacerations can be life-threatening, especially those involving large blood vessels or vital organs.

Burns

In the event of a fire or explosion resulting from a collision, workers can suffer from burns. The severity can range from first-degree burns, which affect the top layer of skin, to third-degree burns, which can damage nerves and tissues under the skin. Burns can result in severe pain and significant scarring, and may require long-term care and rehabilitation.

To learn more now, call Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 516-342-2200 or schedule your free consultation with us online today.

What Should New York Employees Do If They’re Injured In A Concrete Mixer Truck Collision At Work?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cement mixer truck accident, you need to act immediately. Your injuries are likely serious, and a long recovery can put you out of work for a long time.

Go To The Emergency Room

Don’t let anyone tell you to wait to see a workers’ compensation doctor if you’ve been involved in a car accident. You need to go to the hospital for emergency medical attention. Even if you think you’re okay, you may have a concussion or an internal injury that isn’t immediately apparent. You can follow up with a workers’ compensation-approved doctor later.

Consult With A Skilled Attorney

A concrete mixer truck collision can be dangerous, and you may need a skilled cement truck accident attorney to get all the money and benefits you’re entitled to. To this end, the award-winning New York City construction accident attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers are ready to review the details of your accident and help you fully understand your options. What’s more, you can speak with one of our NYC trial attorneys now by dialing 516-342-2200 and enjoying a free consultation as well as ample peace of mind.

Report The Accident

You should inform a supervisor or your employer about the accident as soon as it is safe to do so. In New York State, workers typically have (30) days to report a workplace injury to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

Note: Regardless of your supervisor’s awareness of an accident, you’ll need to either file a formal written report or sign an official written report that has been completed on your behalf.

Document Everything

To maximize your claim’s chances of success, you should keep detailed records of the accident in question, as well as any injuries sustained, medical treatments received, and communications with supervisors or insurance companies.

Note: While you may be eligible for reimbursement for any bills you’ve paid out of pocket while waiting on claim approval, you’ll very likely be required to provide proof of the bills you paid as well as evidence of any treatments or services directly related to your injury.

How Can You File A Claim With New York Workers’ Compensation For A Concrete Mixer Truck Collision?

The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim begins with reporting your injury to your employer. Workers’ compensation claims can take a long time to process, which is why it’s so important to move quickly and accurately to claim your benefits.

Formally Report Your Injury

For a successful outcome, you need to have a detailed injury report on record with your employer within (30) days of your accident. Said differently, if you don’t file a report on time, you may be barred from submitting a workers’ comp claim and recovering financially.

See A Workers’ Compensation Doctor

Without delay, you should seek out qualified medical treatment from a doctor or healthcare provider who is authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). Note: It doesn’t matter if you’ve already seen another doctor or received treatment somewhere else; in most cases, you’ll need to have a designated workers’ comp doctor evaluate you and provide official documentation for your claim.

Complete Your Claim Form

You can get workers’ comp claim forms from your employer or the New York Workers’ Compensation Board. With this in mind, you should be sure to fill out the forms accurately while providing as much relevant detail as possible.

To this end, you should include all logically and legally relevant evidence in your account, including medical test results and medical bills. This is because the more information you give workers’ compensation, the less likely they will be to delay your claim by asking for more info. In short: There’s no such thing as too many substantiating documents.

Submit Your Claim

As soon as possible, you should file the completed claim forms and supporting documents with the Workers’ Compensation Board. And while you generally have up to two (2) years after a workplace injury to file a claim if you follow the instructions correctly, you won’t want to wait if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New York cement truck accident.

Stay In Touch With Workers’ Compensation

You should stay in contact with your workers’ compensation agent as your claim is being processed. You’ll be able to promptly respond to any requests they make or questions that they ask. Staying on top of the situation can work to prevent delays in processing your case.

Receive Your Benefits

If your claim is approved, you’ll receive benefits to cover your lost income and pay your medical expenses. You can also receive benefits for ongoing treatment like physical therapy to help you return to work.

If your claim is denied, you need to speak to a seasoned attorney. The experienced New York City workers’ compensation attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers are prepared to fight for the benefits you’re owed. Call 516-342-2200 now for a free consultation on your case.

Get The Help You Need After Your Concrete Mixer Truck Collision

Don’t let your bills pile up while you’re recovering from a cement truck mixer accident. You have options to recover the money and benefits owed to you, including reimbursement for lost wages and medical bills.

The skilled New York City construction accident attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers have more than (150) years of combined experiencehelping injured workers recover financially from workplace accidents. Call us now at 516-342-2200 to start recovering today!

DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 516-342-2200 now!

Sources:

Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You

Traumatic Brain Injury | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Spinal Cord Injury: Hope Through Research | National Library of Medicine.

Workers’ Compensation Board | New York State

The Claims Process – The First Steps | New York State Workers’ Compensation Board

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