Workers Compensation Claims and Vehicle Accidents

Employees who operate company vehicles or personal vehicles while on the job are entitled to the same protections under the workers’ compensation laws as workers who spend all of their time at the workplace. Therefore, if an employee is injured in a vehicle accident while performing their job, they may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation is not limited to the workplace. If you are an employee who regularly operates a company vehicle or your personal vehicle in the performance of company tasks and duties, you are entitled to the same protections under the workers’ compensation laws as a worker who spends 100% of their time at the workplace.

Workers who spend any portion of their time on the road assume special responsibilities and risks that can considerably impact their health and livelihood. If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident while performing tasks for your employer, or as a routine component of your employment, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills and loss of wages, the same as any other company employee. This, of course means, that you assume special responsibility when operating a vehicle on company time.

In addition to any regulations or oversight provided by state and Federal law concerning commercial drivers, your employer may have specific regulations and guidelines that apply to any employee operating a company car or truck in the pursuit of company tasks. In addition, company-owned vehicles may be monitored by a GPS or on-board program. These methods are used to verify speed and conditions of operation in the event of an accident and are implemented to keep drivers safe and to monitor for potential violations.

If you are operating safely and performing duties required and authorized by your employer, you could be entitled to have your medical coverage reimbursed by your employer, have further medical treatment by an employer-specified physician, and receive wage compensation in the event you should be partially or permanently disabled as a result of your injuries.

Should your employer attempt to defy regulations concerning coverage or deny you compensation based on claims of negligence, you may need to seek representation in pursuit of medical expense and wage recovery. The best course of action is to consult with a qualified workers' compensation attorney, who can assist you in developing a plan and filing a claim, if necessary.