Can Workers Injured in Tampa Construction Crashes Sue?

In January of 2026, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported that a construction crash had resulted in one death and several injuries. Among those injured were construction workers who were simply trying to earn an honest living. What can you do if you were injured by a negligent driver while working in a construction zone? Is it possible to sue, or are you restricted to filing a workers’ comp claim? These are questions you might want to explore with an experienced auto accident lawyer in Tampa.

Driver Failed to Yield Before Barreling Into Construction Workers 

Representatives from the Florida Highway Patrol say that a driver failed to yield before driving his Chevy Silverado into a construction zone on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The driver then struck a pickup truck that was occupied by three construction workers. All three of these workers were hospitalized by first responders after the crash, although they apparently suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Silverado did not survive.

Do I Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim as an Injured Construction Worker?

If you were injured by an out-of-control driver who crossed into your construction zone, you may assume that your only pathway toward compensation is through workers’ comp. However, this may not be the case. If you were injured by a negligent third party, you may also have the opportunity to file a direct lawsuit.

This could be a more logical option, especially if you’re suffering from a serious injury. In this situation, workers’ comp may only cover a portion of your medical expenses and lost earnings. In contrast, a direct personal injury lawsuit could cover 100% of these damages. In addition, a lawsuit can cover non-economic (psychological damages), which could add a significant amount of value to your claim.

You may even have the option to file both types of claims to recover as much compensation as possible. This is a common decision for many injured workers, and it is something you might want to discuss with your personal injury lawyer.

What if the Driver Who Caused My Injuries Died?

In the aforementioned crash, the driver who failed to yield perished in the collision. In this type of situation, could the injured workers still sue? This all depends on various factors, including whether the at-fault driver had valid insurance. However, it is at least theoretically possible to file a claim against the estate of the deceased. This means that death does not necessarily prevent these types of direct lawsuits.

Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in Tampa Help Me? 

A car accident lawyer in Tampa may be able to help if you were injured while working in a construction zone. Negligent drivers should face accountability for causing serious injuries to innocent construction workers, and workers’ comp may not cover your full range of damages. Consider a conversation with Anderson & Anderson to assess the most appropriate next steps.

Sources: 

fox13news.com/news/driver-killed-construction-workers-injured-crash-howard-frankland-bridge-fhp

wtsp.com/article/traffic/crash-howard-frankland-bridge-1-dead-construction-zone/67-516d58f8-3d59-465a-8f04-4186daa40fc2