Work Automobile Injuries

Most people associate automobile accident injuries with the use of vehicles for personal purposes. And while it is true that people are more likely to be injured when using their vehicle for personal reasons, injuries can also occur when a car or truck is used for business purposes. Workers’ compensation typically does not cover automobile accidents that occur on the way to or from the workplace. However, there are a few exceptions.

• If an employee is required to bring their vehicle to work and use it throughout their work day for business-related travel, it may be possible to file a claim if an accident occurs.
• The other exception is when company vehicles are used to provide transportation, as may be the case with car pools.

Top Attorneys For Automobile Injury Claims

Injuries sustained when a vehicle is used for work-related purposes are comparable to those sustained in any type of car accident. A shocking number of injuries are caused by a vehicle’s door closing. However, injuries caused by the negligence of another are typically the most severe. For example, a sudden stop caused by another car swerving into the path of a vehicle may result in whiplash or a spine injury. These are the most common automobile-related injuries that may result from an automobile accident:

• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Leg and knee injuries
• Concussions
• Spine-related injuries

California’s Expert Automobile Injury Lawyers

When a work-related auto accident occurs, the first step to take is to seek medical attention. It’s especially important to take this step with head injuries, possible spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and any injury that has resulted in the loss of consciousness, sensation, or blood. If possible, key information should be obtained, such as witness info, license plate number if another vehicle was involved, and insurance information for other involved parties.

As soon as possible, report the incident to your employer so that it can be documented in company files. If the other driver was primarily at fault, workers’ compensation benefits are typically easier to obtain. It may be possible to submit a claim even if you were partially responsible. In some cases, an employer may be held liable for work-related injuries caused by an automobile accident. This could be feasible if:

• They failed to inspect and/or maintain work vehicles
• Proper training wasn’t provided with the use of certain types of cars used for work purposes
• The vehicle lacked sufficient safety features

If there was some type of negligence on an employer’s part that may have contributed to an accident involving a company vehicle, it’s sometimes possible to secure compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and ongoing care that may include physical therapy and other medical procedures. Since there may be a fine line between whether or not an auto injury related to automobile accident being used for work-related purposes is covered by workers’ compensation, it’s best to seek advice from an attorney to determine how to proceed.