How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 207 severe incidents involving you being struck by vehicles over the last decade. Fractures are the most common outcome, accounting for 61% of these reported cases, which often require extensive surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
These events are particularly dangerous because they frequently involve heavy machinery or passenger vehicles moving through work zones. The physical impact often leads to significant time away from work and complex medical recovery needs.
Common injuries
Most of these incidents involve passenger vehicles and trucks operating in close proximity to you. Whether you are performing road maintenance, servicing a vehicle on a shoulder, or moving between job site areas, the lack of clear traffic control or visibility often leads to these collisions. When your employer fails to implement proper barriers or warning signs, you are left vulnerable to being struck by moving equipment or transport vehicles.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fractures | 114 |
| 2 | Traumatic injuries or exposures— unspecified | 25 |
| 3 | Severe wounds or internal injuries and other injuries | 14 |
| 4 | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations | 11 |
| 5 | Intracranial Injuries | 9 |
| 6 | Bruises, contusions | 5 |
| 7 | Surface and flesh wounds and other injuries | 2 |
| 8 | Multiple traumatic injuries and disorders— unspecified | 2 |
Where injuries happen most
Administrative services account for 40% of these incidents, largely due to you performing field tasks or site visits near active traffic. Construction workers also face high risks, as the constant movement of heavy trucks and machinery on job sites creates a high-pressure environment where a single lapse in traffic management can lead to a severe collision.
Real cases like yours
Real incident reports show a recurring pattern of you being struck while performing routine tasks like roadside maintenance, towing, or moving equipment across active lanes. Many of these injuries occur when drivers fail to see you or when vehicles lurch unexpectedly due to mechanical failures. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine your options.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | MD | Professional Services | "An employee was performing a routine site visit when he was struck by a car while on the shoulder of a road. The employee was hospitalized with two fractures to his leg." | |
| 2025 | PA | Construction | "An employee was repairing a tri-axle dump truck on the side of the road when the clutch was released, causing the truck to lurch forward over the wheel chocks. The employee was crushed underneath the first set of rear wheels and sustained a fractured lower left leg and a knee injury." | |
| 2024 | TX | Administrative Services | "An employee was servicing a container at the rear of the truck and went to return the trash can across the street when they were struck by a vehicle. The employee sustained a fractured neck." | |
| 2024 | FL | Administrative Services | "An employee was performing road assistance activities and was in the process of towing a vehicle when they were struck by another vehicle. The employee sustained injuries to their back, right clavicle, arm, pelvis, hip, and leg, resulting in hospitalization." | |
| 2024 | TX | Administrative Services | "An employee was cutting grass on the side of the road when he was struck by a pickup truck, resulting in a fractured fibula and a laceration on his head." | |
| 2024 | NJ | Administrative Services | "A temporary employee was picking up residential trash. The employee walked to the side of the truck near the curb to retrieve trash and was struck by the garbage truck. The employee suffered fractures to the left foot/ankle and was hospitalized." | |
| 2024 | PA | Administrative Services | "An employee was collecting waste in a residential area on his route and was struck by a motor vehicle while walking toward the driver's side door from the rear of the truck. The employee was hospitalized for a left fibula fracture, a left lateral malleolus fracture, and a hematoma above his right eye." | |
| 2024 | MA | Construction | "Two employees were walking on either side of a street, making sure that lengths of 6-inch-wide sewer pipe did not slide off the forks of a skid steer that was carrying them down the road. The skid steer's rubber tracks ran over one of the two employees' feet. He suffered foot and ankle fractures." | |
| 2024 | CO | Administrative Services | "On July 5th, 2024, employees were collecting garbage in a residential neighborhood. The injured employee bent down to pick a piece of trash off the ground when the truck ran over his foot and he fell down. The truck continued moving backward and rolled over his pelvis. The employee was hospitalized with fractures to his pelvis, lower back, and ankle." | |
| 2024 | IL | Administrative Services | "The injured employee was collecting waste and depositing it into the front bin of the garbage truck while on the collection route. The truck ran over and crushed the employee's right ankle. The employee sustained an open lateral dislocation of the right subtalar joint and a Lisfranc injury and was hospitalized." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
The most frequent injuries reported are fractures, which occur in 61% of these severe cases. You may sustain trauma to the legs, pelvis, or head, which can lead to long-term mobility issues. An attorney can help you document these injuries to ensure your medical needs are fully addressed in your claim.
Yes, if you were performing work-related duties at the time of the incident, you are generally entitled to Workers' Compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault. This coverage is designed to pay for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages while you recover. An attorney can help you navigate the filing process to ensure your claim is handled correctly.
Your employer has a legal duty to provide a safe work environment, which includes implementing traffic control plans and safety protocols when you work near vehicles. If your employer failed to provide adequate warning signs, protective gear, or safe work zones, they may be in violation of safety standards. An attorney can help you investigate whether these failures contributed to your injury.
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision and provide additional evidence regarding your injury and the circumstances of the accident. Insurance companies often look for reasons to minimize payouts, but an attorney can help you advocate on your behalf to challenge an unfair denial. Seeking legal guidance early can help you build a stronger case for the benefits you deserve.