Struck by Vehicle at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Struck by Vehicle at Work
Severe vehicle-related pedestrian incidents are trending downward
Over the past decade, 207 severe incidents involving workers struck by vehicles have been reported to OSHA. These events frequently result in fractures, which account for 60.6 percent of all reported injury natures in this category.
The physical toll of these incidents is extensive, with 27.3 percent of cases involving injuries to multiple body parts. Victims often face long-term recovery from severe leg and pelvic trauma, which are among the most common outcomes of being struck by heavy machinery or passenger vehicles.
What's Driving the Trend?
The frequency of these severe incidents has decreased by 89.3 percent over the last ten years, reflecting a significant shift in workplace safety protocols. Despite this progress, passenger vehicles and motorized roadway vehicles remain the primary sources of danger, together accounting for over 60 percent of all reported events.
Administrative services lead all sectors with 40.1 percent of incidents, followed by construction at 18.4 percent. These industries often require employees to work in high-traffic zones or near moving equipment, creating environments where even minor lapses in vehicle safety can lead to catastrophic results.
Injury Types from Struck by Vehicle
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Struck-by incidents typically occur when workers are performing tasks on road shoulders, servicing vehicles, or navigating active job sites. Passenger vehicles and trucks are the most frequent sources of injury, often striking workers who are distracted by maintenance tasks or routine site visits. These events frequently involve vehicles lurching forward due to failed wheel chocks or drivers failing to see pedestrians in their path.
| 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 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers are legally obligated to maintain safe work zones under 29 CFR 1926.601, which mandates strict requirements for motor vehicle operation and pedestrian safety. Failure to implement proper traffic control, ensure vehicle braking systems are functional, or provide high-visibility gear often constitutes a violation of these federal safety standards.
Industries with Most Struck by Vehicle
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Administrative services account for 40.1 percent of all severe vehicle-related injuries, largely due to employees performing road-side assistance or maintenance tasks in unpredictable traffic. Construction follows at 18.4 percent, where the proximity of workers to heavy trucks and earth-moving machinery creates a constant risk of collision.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
In high-risk industries, employers must adhere to 29 CFR 1910.176, which governs the safe handling of materials and the operation of powered industrial vehicles. Compliance requires clear separation of pedestrian walkways from vehicle traffic and the rigorous maintenance of all transport equipment to prevent accidental movement.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
Reported incidents reveal a pattern of workers being struck while performing routine duties such as site visits, landscaping, or vehicle repairs on road shoulders. These narratives frequently highlight failures in basic safety measures, such as inadequate vehicle restraint systems or the absence of protected zones for employees working near active traffic.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Common Questions About Struck by Vehicle Claims
The ClaimsBoost Research Team aggregates official government data to help workers understand workplace injury trends and their coverage options.
ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from OSHA severe injury reports. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys in your area.Some written content on this page was created with the assistance of AI to help interpret and explain the data. AI can make mistakes — all content has been reviewed for accuracy, but we encourage you to verify any information that is important to your situation.