Can You Seek Workers’ Compensation For Your Car Accident At Work?

If you operate a motor vehicle as part of your duties, you are exposing yourself to the risk of injury every day. Fortunately, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation if you sustain injuries in a car accident in the course and scope of your employment.

Tennessee’s workers’ compensation laws protect employees who sustain on-the-job injuries regardless of whether they work in construction, perform landscaping services, collect garbage, or drive motor vehicles as part of their duties.

If you are a delivery driver, truck driver, or you must otherwise operate a motor vehicle in the course and scope of your employment, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you get injured in a car accident at work.

It is advisable to consult with a Nashville workers’ compensation lawyer to determine if you can seek compensation for your injury sustained in a work-related car accident.

When Can You Seek Workers’ Compensation in Tennessee?

Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy carried by employers to cover their employees in the event of workplace accidents and work-related illnesses. In Tennessee, workers’ compensation benefits cover the cost of medical treatment and a portion of the injured employee’s lost wages.

If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you can seek benefits for your work-related injury or illness regardless of fault. All you need to prove is that your injury/illness occurred in the scope of your employment or is otherwise related to work.

Can You Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits After a Work-Related Car Accident?

You can obtain workers’ compensation benefits if you suffer an injury while performing your job duties, including operating a company vehicle or your own car for work purposes.

In order to get compensated for your work-related car crash, you must be able to prove that you were performing your work duties. Contrary to popular belief, if you were injured while traveling to or from work, you may not be eligible for workers’ compensation because you were not actually driving in the course and scope of your employment.

In many cases, whether or not you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for a car accident at work depends on the circumstances of your particular case. For this reason, you may want to speak with an experienced attorney to discuss your unique situation.

How to Obtain Workers’ Compensation After a Car Accident at Work?

If you were injured in a car accident while performing your job duties, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention to document your injury. The second thing is to report your accident to your employer.

Under Tennessee law, you have 30 days to notify your employer of your workplace accident or work-related illness (T.C.A. § 50-6-201). The employer will then notify their workers’ compensation insurance company to handle your claim.

Keep in mind that workers’ compensation benefits do not compensate injured employees for damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, punitive damages, and others. For this reason, it is a good idea to discuss your case with a skilled lawyer to determine if you should pursue a personal injury lawsuit to maximize your compensation.

Call 615-375-4773 for a free consultation with our workers’ compensation attorney Colin B. Calhoun.