If you get injured in an on-the-job car accident, you need to figure out how you are going to be compensated for your medical expenses. Because you were working at the time of the accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, but that may not be your only option. You may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. A Prince George’s County work injury lawyer can help you learn more about your legal options.
What Should I Do Right After an On-The-Job Car Accident?
If you get into an on-the-job car accident, you should act just like you would after any other car accident. You need to protect yourself and begin building a potential case right away. You also need to collect all of the info that would be needed to make an accident claim. This means:
- Getting the cars pulled over somewhere safe
- Exchanging insurance info with any other involved drivers
- Getting contact information from witnesses
- Calling the cops so that they can make a report
- Taking pictures of the accident scene and damage to the vehicles
Then you need to get your injuries treated and report your injuries to your employer. Once you do that, you can make a claim through their workers’ compensation insurance.
Can I Get Workers’ Comp If I Was Commuting?
No, unfortunately your commute does not count as you being on the job. If you get into an accident on your way into work or on your way home, you need to deal with your own insurance coverage. Your employer’s coverage won’t factor in.
Can I Sue Another Driver After an On-The-Job Car Accident?
Workers’ compensation might not be the only kind of compensation you are entitled to. If you believe that your on-the-job car accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, you may want to sue them for compensation. This personal injury case would be separate from your workers’ compensation claim and would differ from it in a few key ways.
First of all, the burden of proof is harder to meet in an injury case. You need to show that the other driver was negligent. In a workers’ comp case, you essentially just need to show that you were injured while you were working. Compensation in this case can also be different. Workers’ comp will reimburse you for the economic costs of an accident, like medical bills and lost wages. A settlement from a personal injury suit can also make up for non-economic costs, like pain and suffering.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have any more questions, contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, LLP. We can offer you a free consultation and tell you more about what our lawyers can do to help you secure the kind of compensation that you deserve.
