Many workers never step foot in an office during their workday. Millions of Americans spend their workday on the road, delivering packages, making sales calls, or transporting other employees or members of the public. Workers who travel for their job and are injured in a car accident while working may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
What is a Work-Related Car Accident Injury?
If you are like many people and have to drive to your workplace, you should know that a car accident that occurs during your regular commute generally would not be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
Workers’ compensation regulations vary by state, but in most cases, an injury must occur while you are in a car for work-related reasons. For example, if your car accident occurred while you were:
- Being paid by your employer for your travel time to or from work
- Delivering packages for your employer
- Driving as part of your regular job description
- Running errands for your employer
- Transporting a coworker
- Working on the road and have no fixed office
Because there are some exceptions to these guidelines, it is wise to discuss your accident and injuries with an experienced Cherry Hill workers’ compensation lawyer.
What is the Difference Between a Workers’ Compensation Claim and a Personal Injury Claim?
In some situations, you may have the right to pursue a third-party claim in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. If another driver’s negligence caused your work-related car accident, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim against that driver. A workers’ compensation claim is filed with your state’s Workers’ Compensation agency, while a personal injury lawsuit is filed in local civil court.
Workers’ compensation benefits cover quantifiable losses and generally have a maximum award amount available. These benefits cover medical expenses such as hospitalizations and surgeries, and lost income while you are unable to work. With a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek damages for pain and suffering and other damages you experienced as a result of your car accident injuries. To win a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney must prove fault – or that the other driver caused the car accident. Fault is not a factor in workers’ compensation claims.
What Should I do if I am in a Car Accident While Working?
First and foremost, you should seek medical care. Document your injuries with photos, video, and medical records. Next, you should report your accident to your employer. Finally, contact a Cherry Hill workers’ compensation lawyer with extensive experience filing and appealing work injury claims in New Jersey. Any delay in filing your workers’ compensation claim could jeopardize your right to important benefits.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks LLP Fight for New Jersey Workers’ Rights to Benefits
The workers’ compensation lawyers at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks LLP know the law when it comes to work-related accidents occurring outside of the office. We gather all the evidence you need to prove your claim and receive the crucial benefits you need to support your recovery and the income lost while you are physically unable to work. Call 856-761-3773 today or use the simple online contact form to schedule a free consultation in our Cherry Hill, New Jersey office. Our team is proud to serve clients throughout South Jersey, including the city of Camden.
