Front line workers have been making enormous efforts to keep us all safe during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hollywood and across Florida. Often at high risk to themselves, these workers in health care, transportation, and other essential services have been working hard to care for those affected by the novel coronavirus.
These front-line workers are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their workplace and the current shortage of personal protective equipment supplies, but they may also be more at risk for car accidents in Hollywood and their communities because:
- Longer hours can mean more accidents: Essential and front-line workers are working longer hours now to keep up with unprecedented demand and to make up for co-workers who have become ill and cannot work. These long hours can mean exhaustion and distraction while driving, leading to an increased risk of car accidents.
- Front-line workers may be tired or unwell: In many cases, front-line workers are so needed that they may be working when they are under the weather, which can mean a risk of distracted driving accidents. If they are exhausted after a long day, this can lead to a higher danger for fatigue-related car accidents.
- Changing work hours can mean sleep disturbances: Moving from a day shift to a night rotation can mean sleep disturbances and thus fatigued driving, even if workers get enough time between shifts to sleep. Right now, many front-line workers are working around the clock and filling in where needed, which means they may not have time to adjust to a new schedule before their shifts are adjusted again.
- Some workers may be distracted or stressed: Front-line workers are worried about access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and are seeing the worst of the outbreaks, in many cases. This can lead to high levels of stress and worry, which can compound with a hectic work schedule. All of this can lead to distraction and stress, which can be dangerous when driving.
There are a few ways front-line workers can drive safer. They may wish to rely on carpooling or on someone else to drive them home after a long day. Having a co-worker drive them home or having someone at the clinic or hospital act as driver means no taxi driver is exposed but workers are also protected from fatigue-related collisions.
Some front-line workers are even staying at nearby hotels or even their place of work. This ensures they are not on the roads and reduces the risk both to themselves and their families.
The team at Flaxman Law Group would like to thank the front-line workers who are keeping us all safe. If you are a front-line worker or any employee who has been in a car accident in South Florida, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Hollywood car accident attorney. Our legal team has more than six decades of combined experience and would be happy to help you understand your rights after a car collision. Your first consultation is free and comes with no obligation, so you can get the facts about your options.