If I am Injured While Driving for Work, do I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

There are many jobs that require a person to drive for work. For example, perhaps you are a truck driver or a delivery person. Perhaps you have to commute to different offices around the state to meet with clients in person. Or perhaps your boss simply asks you to run work-related errands every now and again, like going to the bank or picking up more copy paper.

Chances are, driving for work is part of your job description, or at least something you do from time to time. Which means that if you are in a car accident while doing something related to your job, you may not know whether or not you should file a workers’ compensation claim. Here is a look into what you should know:

Workers’ Compensation: A Brief Overview 

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that is designed to compensate workers for injuries they suffer on the job. As such, in order for a worker’s injury to be eligible for workers’ compensation, they must be an eligible employee (i.e. their employer carries workers’ compensation insurance and they are covered) and the injury must have occurred while the employee was doing something within the scope of their employment. In other words, the injury must be work-related.

If you can prove that you were performing a work-related task (i.e. you are a delivery driver and you were lawfully driving while on the clock) at the time of your accident, you may have a workers’ compensation claim.

Is Workers’ Compensation the Only Way I can Recover Compensation for My Accident?

The good news is that even if you are not eligible for workers’ compensation (and perhaps even if you are), there is another possible avenue for recovering damages – filing a claim against the insurance carrier of the at-fault driver. If you can prove that your car accident would not have occurred but for the negligence of the other driver involved, you can attempt to hold them liable for the full extent of harm that you have suffered.

You Should Talk to an Attorney

Your best bet for figuring out exactly what source of compensation is available to you after a car accident where you were driving for work is to speak to a qualified lawyer. An attorney can offer guidance regarding whether you have a workers’ compensation case or a personal injury case, as well as what steps you should take from there. While our lawyers at Bednarz Law do not practice workers’ compensation law, we can refer you to a competent attorney who does. We do practice personal injury law and are happy to offer you a free consultation about your case.

Reach Our Law Office Today

For a free consultation about your car accident with our Tennessee car accident lawyers, please call our law firm today or contact us online. We have been practicing law for decades and have the experience you’re looking for.