The Industrial Truck Association reports that there are about 855,900 forklifts across the nation, and 11 percent of them will be involved in an accident each year. According to the same source, 90% of all forklifts will be in some type of accident at some time during their years of use. Each year, 34,900 serious accidents and 85 fatalities occur due to forklifts, according to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). The largest number of fatal forklift truck accidents involve a driver being crushed under a tipping forklift. Often, this occurs when a driver tries to leap from a tipping forklift. A large number of forklift accidents also occur when a victim is crushed between a forklift and an object or another vehicle. Many injuries occur when victims are run over by forklifts or have cargo dropped on them from the vehicles. Another common type of forklift injury in Miami and other communities occurs when victims fall from the platform of the forklift.
Forklift Accidents and Injuries in Miami and FloridaUnfortunately, forklift accidents are a common type of construction site accident in Miami and across Florida. These types of accidents can also lead to serious injuries, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, fractures, amputations, and other serious injuries. The cost of these types of injuries tends to be quite high, since the injuries associated with forklifts tend to be severe. If you have been injured in a workplace accident in Miami or any other Florida community, contact a personal injury attorney in Miami or your community for legal advice. The Flaxman Law Group legal team has been part of the Miami community for decades and has seen firsthand how expensive and challenging it is for construction site accident victims to start rebuilding their life after a tragic accident. The Flaxman Law Group legal team has already helped thousands of personal injury victims and workplace accident victims get the fair compensation that they deserve.
Preventing Forklift Accidents in Miami and Across FloridaAccording to OSHA, many forklift accidents are completely preventable. According to the organization, one of the leading causes of these types of accidents has to do with lack of driver training. By law, only properly trained drivers are allowed to operate a forklift. Adequate training ensures that drivers know how to operate these vehicles safely. In addition to lack of training, lack of proper forklift management and supervision is another common cause of forklift accidents. Workplaces have an obligation to ensure that their workers know how to operate all construction site equipment correctly. In some cases, forklift equipment accidents in Miami and across Florida occur due to older equipment or faulty equipment. This can be the result of manufacturer defects or it can be due to incorrect maintenance of forklifts.
If you have been injured in a workplace accident involving a forklift, your immediate priority will be to get medical attention. You will, however, also want to contact a personal injury attorney in Miami or your community in order to get legal advice about your options. If you have been injured, contact the Flaxman Law Group for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your case. The cost of your injuries may be significant, and getting fair compensation for your injuries can help at least reduce the financial distress of your situation.