Ocean County Workers' Compensation Law Blog

The more time you spend on the roads throughout the state of New Jersey, the more you'll realize that there's no avoiding construction zones.

When you find yourself driving through a construction zone, it's critical that you make a few key changes to enhance your safety and that of everyone around you. Here are some things you should do:

• Slow down: Take note of the posted speed limit and slow down accordingly. Doing so reduces the risk of an accident, while also avoiding a costly speeding ticket.
• Stay alert: You never know what you'll come across in a construction zone, from a flagger to barrels that are a bit too close to the road. When you're alert, you're able to adjust on the fly.
• Use your headlights: Even if you're not instructed to do so, it's a good safety habit to get into. Your headlights make it easier for workers to see you, especially in darker conditions.
• Maintain a safe following distance: In construction zones, you're more likely to come to an abrupt stop. If you don't leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of yours, you could cause a rear-end accident.

Regardless of your job responsibilities or the environment in which you work, there's always a possibility you could suffer an injury. If this happens, it's critical to receive treatment, report the incident to your employer and learn more about your legal rights.

An understanding of the most common workplace injuries can help keep you safe. Here are several that you need to protect against:

• Slip and fall
• Repetitive motion
• Motor vehicle accident
• Injured by machinery or tools
• Struck by an object
• Burn or electrocution
• Fall from height

As a New Jersey resident, you look forward to the warmer temperatures that come about during the spring season. However, you have to take the good with the bad, so it's a must that you also prepare for the many rainstorms that are sure to blow through the area.

If you find yourself driving in a spring rainstorm, here are the steps you should take:

• Turn on your headlights: This increases your visibility, thus allowing you to spot potential danger up the road. Your headlights also allow other vehicles to see you.
• Slow down: Fast driving on wet roads is dangerous, as it takes longer to stop and there's an increased risk of hydroplaning.
• Leave more following space: You should never drive too closely to the car in front of yours, but take special caution when driving in the rain. Your stopping time is longer on wet roads, so more space can help prevent a rear-end accident.
• Maintain your vehicle: For example, proper tire pressure will give you more peace of mind when driving in the rain. Also, make sure your windshield wipers are up to the task, as these are the only way to keep a clear view of the road ahead.

Sometimes, it's the simplest mistakes that cause the most serious car accidents. And for that reason, it's critical that you do whatever it takes to remain mistake-free every time you get behind the wheel.

Here are several examples of simple mistakes that put your safety and well-being at risk:

• Sending just one text: Yes, it's only one text, but that's all it takes to cause an accident. If you take your eyes off the road for even one second, it greatly increases the risk of a crash.
• Grabbing for something in your vehicle: Maybe your phone is in your glove box. Maybe your lipstick is in the center console. Or perhaps your water bottle slid under your seat. If you need to grab for something, pull over to safety before doing so. If you don't, you're taking at least one hand off the wheel and possibly your eyes away from the road.
• Adjusting vehicle controls: If you need to do this while driving, keep both eyes on the road. Don't look away, such as to check the radio station, as doing so is just as dangerous as texting.