Automobile accidents often trigger workers’ compensation claims in Maryland, but at least one of the claimants is usually in one of the vehicles involved in the collision. A recent collision involving a pickup truck and an SUV killed one worker and injured another, and neither of the workers was in either of the vehicles.
According to Hagerstown Police, two construction workers were working in the parking lot adjacent to the police department. An SUV was traveling north on Burhans Blvd. when it was struck by a pickup truck heading westbound on West Washington Street. The crash threw the SUV into the police department parking lot, where it struck both workers. The SUV also struck a vehicle in the parking lot that had another worker inside. When police arrived on the scene, they found one of the workers had been killed when the SUV was thrown into the parking lot. The other worker suffered non-life threatening injuries. Police believe that one of the involved vehicles may have run a red light.
The two workers who were struck by the SUV are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The family of the worker who was killed will have what are called survivors’ claims, and the injured worker will have a claim for medical expenses, lost wages and any resulting disability. If the police are correct in suspecting that one of the vehicles precipitated the accident by running a red light, The injured worker and the family of the deceased worker may have claims against the driver that will not be subject to the limitations of the workers’ compensation statute.
Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one under similar circumstances may wish to pursue the negligent third party for damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury lawyer can provide helpful advice in evaluating such claims.
