AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE ON THE JOB – WHO PAYS FOR THE DAMAGES?

It can be a privilege and a burden to have access to your company car. Most employees are under the impression that the injury has to occur on the job site for them to be eligible for workers’ compensation; however, that is not entirely true. If you have been in an auto accident while on the job and the accident is not your fault, there is a good chance that you would be compensated through workers’ compensation benefits.

WHAT IS MEANT BY “ON THE JOB”

In order for you to receive workers’ compensation benefits, almost all states require you to be “on the job” at the time of the accident. Apart from being actually on the job site, if you are in an auto accident while you were out in the company vehicle or your own car for work-related reasons, there is a high chance that you will be covered by workers’ compensation. Generally, you will be considered eligible, if:

• Your job involves driving
• Your company doesn’t have a fixed office and you have to travel for work
• Your job involves making deliveries
• You are out running an errand for your employer
• Your employer has asked you to drive for another employee

However, you will not be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits if you were involved in an accident while coming from or going to work.

The Importance of Workers’ Compensation

You may not realize how important it is to file for workers’ compensation if the injury and damages incurred are insignificant. But in severe cases, the costs may get much higher than you think. You may have to pay for medical bills and property damage, and there are is a chance that you won’t be able to work for a while due to injuries.

For the sake of your financial future, it is imperative that you take all possible options into consideration. If you qualify for workers’ compensation, more than half of your worries will be taken care of, as you will be compensated for the lost income and your medical bills will be paid by the employer.

ARE YOU COVERED?

Although it is the government policy for employers to cover their employees with workers compensation, the guarantee of getting its benefits is a different ball game. There are many cases each year where legitimate claimants of workers’ compensation are denied of their benefits. The insurance companies claim that their injuries are not severe enough to be covered under the policy or they are not covered at all. In such situations, your best bet is to hire a professional workers’ compensation attorney to help you get fair compensation for your injuries.

PARTNER WITH ASSERTIVE ATTORNEYS

A qualified workers’ compensation attorney knows how to turn such cases in your favor and get what you rightfully deserve. If you have been in an auto accident while on the job, but your employer is depriving you of your workers’ compensation benefits, we can help you. For a free consultation, get in touch with our workers’ compensation attorneys in Schaumburg today.