Roadway collisions with objects at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Roadway collisions with objects at Work
Severe roadway object collisions are trending downward
OSHA has recorded 32 severe incidents involving roadway collisions with objects other than vehicles over the past ten years. Fractures represent the most common injury nature at 32 percent, frequently resulting in long-term disability for affected workers.
These events are particularly dangerous because they often involve heavy machinery like trucks, which account for 55 percent of all reported sources. Injuries to multiple body parts and the pelvic region are common, reflecting the high-impact nature of these collisions.
What's Driving the Trend?
The frequency of these incidents has decreased by 67 percent over the last decade, though the annual rate remains steady at four cases per year. This persistent risk is largely driven by the operation of trucks and heavy equipment in tight or hazardous work environments.
Administrative services and transportation industries see the highest volume of these cases, totaling 50 percent of all reported incidents. These sectors often involve complex logistics and high-pressure schedules that may contribute to lapses in vehicle safety protocols.
Injury Types from Roadway collisions with objects
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
These incidents typically occur when workers operating or riding on vehicles like garbage trucks or propane tankers strike stationary objects such as trees, bollards, or building structures. Common scenarios include workers being pinned between a moving truck and a pole, or suffering crush injuries when a vehicle bed contacts overhead structures like tunnel ceilings.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fractures | 9 |
| 2 | Traumatic injuries or exposures— unspecified | 4 |
| 3 | Injuries to internal organs and major blood vessels | 3 |
| 4 | Intracranial Injuries | 2 |
| 5 | Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures | 2 |
| 6 | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations | 2 |
| 7 | Effects of electric current | 2 |
| 8 | Severe wounds or internal injuries and other injuries | 1 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers are legally required to maintain safe operating conditions under 29 CFR 1910.178 for powered industrial trucks and general vehicle safety standards. Failure to provide adequate clearance, proper vehicle maintenance, or clear traffic routes often constitutes a violation of the employer's duty to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards.
Industries with Most Roadway collisions with objects
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Administrative services account for 34 percent of these severe incidents, primarily due to the high frequency of waste collection and logistics operations. Transportation and construction sectors follow, as their workers frequently navigate heavy machinery through congested or restricted spaces.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
In these high-risk industries, employers must adhere to strict safety protocols including 29 CFR 1910.178 regarding the safe operation of powered vehicles. Compliance requires regular training on clearance awareness, proper vehicle maintenance, and the implementation of physical barriers to protect workers from potential crush zones.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
The reported incidents reveal a recurring pattern of workers being caught or pinned between moving vehicles and stationary objects during routine collection or transport tasks. These narratives frequently involve failures in communication or spatial awareness when operating large trucks near obstacles like trees, bollards, or building structures.
"An employee was driving a vehicle through a tunnel on a campus road to the dumpsters. The bed was elevated and contacted the tunnel structure. The employee sustained a lacerated pancreas and a dislocated shoulder. "
"An employee was standing on the back step of a residential garbage truck when the truck slid on ice and the employee was pinned between the truck and a telephone pole. The employee sustained a crushed pelvis."
"An employee was getting onto the rear of a garbage truck. The employee's right leg was caught between the truck's rear riding step and a bollard as it started moving. The employee was hospitalized and their leg was amputated at the knee."
"An employee was backing up a bobtail propane truck when it struck stored propane tanks, resulting in a fire. The employee suffered burns to the back, head, and left arm."
"An employee was riding the rear step of a garbage truck while the truck was traveling to the next house along the collection route. The vehicle struck against a roadside tree. The employee sustained multiple fractures."
"An employee was riding on the back of a trash truck when they were pinched between the truck and a utility pole. The employee sustained a fractured right hip."
"An employee was moving a manlift away from a truck when it struck a power line. The employee sustained electric shock."
"An employee was riding on the back of a garbage truck when a low tree limb approximately 10.5 feet off the ground and 12-18 inches in diameter hit the top of the truck. The tree limb broke off the tree and struck the employee's leg, resulting in a broken leg."
"An employee was driving a concrete pump truck when it made contact with overhead power lines. The employee was shocked and was hospitalized."
"An employee was driving a vehicle down a dirt road when a windstorm caused tree branches to come down all over the road. A branch struck a mirror bracket and glass broke. A piece of glass got into the employee's eye and lacerated the retina."
Common Questions About Roadway collisions with objects 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.