Do Car Accident Injuries Qualify Me for Workers’ Comp?

Workers’ compensation is designed to protect your income if you get hurt while doing your job. Sometimes, this will include accidents that occur both on and off your business’s premises. What about if an accident happens in a car, however? Will you qualify for workers’ compensation? person filling out work injury claim form

person filling out work injury claim form

Injuries sustained while driving in the course of your work might or might not qualify you for a workers’ compensation claim. Therefore, you will have to examine the circumstances of the accident to determine if you might be able to file a claim.

When Will Car Accident Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Comp?
To qualify for workers’ compensation, you must be hurt as a result of an accident that occurs in the normal scope of your duties at work. So, if you are a delivery driver who is on the road most days of the week, then this is one of your normal working duties. If you have a wreck and sustain injuries in that wreck, then you will likely qualify for workers’ compensation as a result. Not only that, but your company’s commercial auto insurance might provide additional medical payments benefits.

Additionally, if you are driving your personal vehicle, but are on an official work assignment, then you might still qualify for workers’ compensation. For example, realtors frequently travel in their own vehicles to show properties. However, they operate under the authority of their company. Therefore, if accidents occur, then the employee might be able to file for workers’ compensation. Some remote workers will even qualify for a claim if they receive pay for time spent commuting to and from work sites.

When Will Car Accident Injuries Not Qualify for Workers’ Comp?
You cannot assume that every work-related vehicle accident will qualify you for workers’ compensation. For example, non-qualifying claims include:

Accidents that occur when you leave the premises for lunch or other personal business.
Injuries sustained in accidents while commuting to and from work each day.

Accidents in a company-owned car that occur outside of normal business hours when you are not on the job.

If you get hurt in a vehicle wreck while on the job, the best thing to do is to talk to your employer and to your workers’ compensation provider. They can help you determine if the circumstances of the accident might qualify you for a workers’ compensation claim, and what you will need to do to file for it.

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