If you are injured in a car accident while working under the scope of your employment, you should be able to claim workers’ compensation for your injuries.
Since car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury outside of the workplace, the following fact should not come as a surprise: car accidents comprise the vast majority of workers’ compensation claims.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 40% of all work-related accidents are due to a car accident. In 2013, vehicular accidents were one of the major causes of non-fatal severe work-related injuries across many industries.
The Severity of a Car Accident Injury
Because of the nature of a car accident, when someone is in an accident while working, the injuries tend to be more severe than other types of workers’ compensation injury claims. When you compare different occupational injuries, car accidents comprise some of the most serious ones.
The types of injuries that are most common due to car accidents are those that involve the head, neck, and back. Such injuries often lead to higher costs and disability. Also, when someone is injured in a car accident, they are usually out of work longer and require more treatment and rehabilitation than other types of injuries that can happen at work.
Those at Risk
The types of occupations that are most at risk for car accidents are those who drive full-time as a condition of their employment. But it isn’t just those who work full-time on the roadways.
Many occupations that involve travel and sales also come with a higher risk of a car accident related injury. Professional drivers might have a decreased risk of having an accident because they receive extensive training before they are allowed to drive in transportation capacity.
Reducing the Risk of a Car Accident
Offering training to employees who will be driving could be a critical step in the effort to reduce the risk of car accidents. If your employees are operating a large vehicle or transporting people, then it is imperative that they are well-trained on the specific equipment.
Also, don’t put strict demands on their driving time that can lead to being drowsy behind the wheel. Recent studies show that driving while tired might be just as risky as driving while intoxicated.
It is also essential to maintain your vehicles properly and perform regular maintenance if you have drivers employed who will be using them. Reducing risks is all about taking precautionary steps from all angles.
What to Do if You are Injured in a Car Accident While at Work?
If you are injured in a car accident while working under the scope of your employment, you should be able to claim workers’ compensation for your injuries. At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, our Missouri Workers’ Compensation Attorneys can provide you with the necessary information to make the right choices so that you can receive the best medical care, benefits and income. You should be receiving treatment for ALL of your injuries, not just the ones the insurance company wants to accept.
If you have been involved in a car accident while working, call us today at (314) 361-4300 or fill out our online contact form.