When a Workplace Car Accident Entitles You to Workers’ Compensation Benefits
You are only covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy when you sustain a work-related injury. A work-related injury refers to any injury you suffer while “on the clock.” This means that if you were driving somewhere to do something that benefits your employer, any injuries sustained in a crash likely qualify as work-related injuries.
Injuries sustained in a workplace car accident likely qualify you for workers’ compensation benefits if:
- You were making a delivery for your employer
- You were running an errand for your employer
- You were transporting another employee from one location to another
- You were traveling to another location for work purposes during the normal workday
It is important to understand that a crash that occurs when you are commuting to and from your worksite is not generally considered a workplace car accident since you are not yet “on the clock”. There is an exception, however: If you were traveling to run an errand before or after work that your boss explicitly asked you to complete when the collision occurred, your injuries may still be covered by workers’ compensation insurance, even if you were technically “off the clock.”
Still not sure if you are covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation policy? Our Georgia workplace car accident attorneys can assess your circumstances and determine your eligibility. Even if you are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, you could have other means of recovering damages depending on who was liable for the crash.
You Do Not Need to Prove Fault to Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions about Workplace Car Accidents in Georgia
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Is a Crash Automatically Considered a Workplace Car Accident If I Was Driving a Company Car?
No. Driving a company car at the time of a collision does not automatically mean the crash is a workplace car accident or that you are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance. The usual rules still apply: You must have been “on the clock” and/or doing something to benefit your employer when the collision occurred. This includes situations where your boss or employer allows you to use a company car when you are not at work.
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How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action?
You must notify your employer of any work-related injury within 30 days of the date of injury, but it is in your best interest to inform your boss in writing as soon as you can after the accident. Then, you will have one year from the date of the accident to file your workers’ compensation claim. If you are interested in pursuing a third-party lawsuit, you will typically have two years from the date of the accident to start the legal process.
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