Bronx Forklift Accident Lawyers

Construction is a dangerous job, and the equipment used in construction can cause devastating accidents. Forklifts alone are responsible for almost 100 deaths annually. That in itself is high, but the number of injuries that forklifts cause reaches almost 100,000 a year. As the amount of construction permits that have been filed in the Bronx has steadily increased, that injury figure could grow.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a forklift accident, the Bronx forklift accident lawyers at the Lipsig Firm are here to help. We specialize in personal injury law, and we’ll help you navigate this trying time.

Common Causes of Bronx Forklift Accidents

As with any motor vehicle, forklift operators should use caution and care when driving. Many forklift accidents are preventable.

Improper training accounts for about 70% of all forklift accidents. All forklift operators are required to pass forklift training and been granted certification to operate one. Sometimes, this training is overlooked by individuals or the companies.
Improper communication or signaling when driving a forklift can lead to accidents. Because forklift operators are often working side-by-side with colleagues on foot, it’s important to use the correct signaling.
Accelerating too fast, or not slowing down in time, often leads to injuries and is a direct result of a lack of training or concentration.
A lack of attention to surroundings when backing up is likely to cause injuries. Operators need to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Old, damaged, or ill-maintained forklifts can lead to injuries and accidents. Forklifts, like any other piece of machinery, need to be checked regularly for wear and tear.
Collisions with stationary objects, or trying to fit the forklift through too small of a space, can cause unnecessary damage and injury.
A construction site or warehouse space with dangerous floor surfaces, such as water or oil spills that are not cleaned up, make unsafe operating environments for heavy machinery.

Types of Forklift Accidents in the Bronx

Forklifts are an essential part of the construction industry, but because of their size, people often assume they can operate them with little to no training. Construction accidents that occur from forklift misuse can include:

Rollovers, a situation where the forklift is overturned
Collisions with pedestrians
Collisions with stationary objects
Driving the forklift off of an elevated platform or loading dock
Loads that fall off the forklift

Potential Losses After a Bronx Forklift Accident

It is essential that proper training happens before forklift operation to avoid injury and loss. Potential scenarios in forklift accidents are:

Permanent injuries to one or all parties involved in an accident
Injuries that require hospitalization or medical care
Property and/or product damage or loss
Lost work hours, both from injured parties and the time spent restarting operations after an accident

Improper forklift usage is responsible for hundreds of thousands of injuries every year. It also costs victims thousands in medical bills and lost working hours, as well as lost earning potential. The Bronx forklift accident lawyers will work to include every aspect of your losses and damages as we litigate on your behalf.

Common Injuries in Bronx Forklift Accidents

Forklifts should be treated with the same caution as other pieces of machinery on a construction site. While minor injuries are very common, serious injuries can occur.

Neck Injuries

Turning too fast in a forklift may result in the jarring of the spinal cord, or even whiplash, which can affect movement and mobility for several weeks. Neck injuries can also be sustained in a rollover or crash with a forklift, or from a forklift falling off a dock.

Crushing Injuries

Because it is easy for a forklift to turn over, accidents where a victim is crushed between the forklift and the ground, unfortunately, are common. These types of Injuries can also happen when a load that a forklift is carrying is too heavy or unstable and topples over, injuring someone beneath or tipping the forklift.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can be sustained through improper use of forklifts. Concussions can occur from a crash, and penetrating head wounds can be the result of a collision. TBIs can have a lasting impact on a person’s life, including memory loss, loss of mobility or coordination, or other forms of brain damage that affect quality of life.

Broken Bones, Lacerations, and Fractures

Forklift collisions can cause both internal and external bodily damage. Broken bones may result in the limbs or body parts of a victim being crushed by the forklift or by the material that is being handled. Cuts, abrasions, lacerations, and other wounds from forklift accidents can be potentially devastating and affect the ability of the injured party to work.

If you’ve been involved in a forklift accident, seek medical attention. Some internal wounds are not detectable without a doctor’s aid and can lead to further complications or death.

What Factors Determine Compensation for Bronx Forklift Accident Victims?

If you were the driver in a forklift accident, the compensation you may receive in your case depends on whether or not you were liable for the accident. If it is discovered that the forklift was ill-maintained or that there were unsafe conditions in your workplace, we can help you seek compensation from the company that owned the forklift or those responsible for the job site.

If you are a pedestrian involved in a forklift accident, the liability could fall on the driver of the forklift or on the company who was responsible for the forklift’s maintenance.

The extent of damages and injuries are taken into account during all forklift accident cases, as is whether or not the injured party is able to return to work or retain work after the accident.

Contact The Lipsig Firm for Your Forklift Accident Claims

The forklift accident lawyers at The Lipsig Firm are ready to take your case. We know that healing from extensive forklift injuries can take time, and we’re here to help make your path a little easier. We work to investigate the accident and to help you hold the responsible parties accountable.

If you’ve experienced a forklift injury, call The Lipsig Firm at 212-285-3300. We offer a free consultation. You can also reach out to us online to schedule your free consultation. We don’t accept payment until your case is settled. Contact us today to discuss your accident and how we can help you.