Compensation for Work-Related Vehicle Accidents

Vehicle accidents can happen on company time. Driving a vehicle for work, even if it’s your own vehicle, places you at risk of having an accident while on the job. If you’re injured in an automobile accident while using a vehicle for work, it can be difficult to determine how much you are owed and who should pay. In these instances, workers’ compensation insurance may be used to pay for damages, injuries, and lost wages.

Note that driving your personal vehicle to and from work usually isn’t covered. However, there are exceptions. Some exceptions are if a person is required to bring their vehicle for work for use during the day or if they’re operating a vehicle that takes employees to and from work on behalf of the company. Note that all accidents are different, and your individual lawyers can provide more information about your specific vase.

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Car Crashes and Workers’ Compensation

Whether you are in a company car or your own, expenses associated with injuries to yourself or others that occur when operating a vehicle for work are usually handled through workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is offered through your employer. Your employer either pays for it privately or uses a state-funded program to access funds.

Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses related to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, ongoing care for these injuries, missed wages, and disability if you become partially or permanently disabled as a result of your injuries.

These benefits cover an insured employee involved in a motor vehicle accident in a company car or personal vehicle being used for company purposes, but they do not extend to other people or vehicles involved in a car accident.

Determining Liability

Every state has different laws that govern how fault is determined in a car crash. Some states operate under a comparative negligence law, which means that the plaintiff in an automobile accident is limited to the amount of damages they can recover based on the percentage they are found to be at fault in causing the accident.

Other states operate as “no-fault” states, which means that each party is responsible for their own injuries and damages. In some no-fault states, like Florida, all drivers are required to carry PIP insurance, which pays for their own damages if they are in a car accident.

If you are injured in a vehicle you are operating for work, there may be a chance that your personal insurance or another party’s insurance could be pursued in a subrogation claim for amounts paid to you by workers’ compensation.

What To Do After an On-The-Job Vehicle Accident

If you’ve been involved in an on-the-job vehicle accident, report it immediately and take steps to make certain both you and your employer have relevant information to process any associated claims.

After an accident:

Call for help. Contact the police and/or medical emergency services immediately for assistance. It is crucial that a report be taken at the scene of the accident, even if there are no injuries.
Collect information. Obtain names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information from other drivers involved and from any eye witnesses to the accident, if it is safe to do so.
Contact your employer. Let your employer know about the accident as soon as possible. Your employer may want to send an authorized representative to the scene of the accident.
Call an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. It’s important to have personal representation if you are injured in an on-the-job vehicle crash. An experienced attorney can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you need.

After an accident, do not attempt to leave the scene, and do not admit fault. These statements can be used against you later, so it’s best to collect information, cooperate with law enforcement officers, and contact a reputable workers’ compensation attorney to help you handle a pending claim.

Why hire an attorney? It’s a form of protection and a way to get claims handled faster and better (and in case you need to go to court or file an appeal). Workers’ compensation costs money, and your employer or the insurer themselves may look for ways to deny your claim. Contact https://www.cohenfeeley.com/ today to find out how we can help protect you and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Staying Safe At Work

Vehicle accidents can happen at work, but you can do your part to stay safe. Obey traffic laws, never text and drive, and be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you know your company’s protocol for reporting accidents if you have one, and keep your attorney’s phone number close so you can stay protected if you are in an accident.