If you sustain injuries in an auto accident while at work or carrying out work-related business, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
A sticking point, however, could be the definition of “work-related.” If you have an accident during your commute, you probably wouldn’t be eligible for workers’ comp benefits. However, if you stop to pick up office supplies on your way home, you might.
Job-related tasks
Some examples of work-related auto accidents are easier to pin down than others, such as if you are a delivery driver and have an accident while making a delivery or are driving between job sites, you’re clearly on the job.
Working hours
If an accident occurs outside of your paid working hours, the insurance carrier would not consider it work-related. The same would be true if you had an accident while doing something other than your regular job duties, such as running a personal errand during work hours.
No-fault
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault program, so regardless of who was at fault for the car accident, you may be able to file a workers’ comp claim. Your benefits will typically cover quantifiable medical expenses, as opposed to a personal injury civil suit which may allow you to collect damages as well.
Civil suit
In addition to claiming for workers’ comp benefits, you may be able to file a civil suit against the other driver. However, you will have to prove that the other driver was at fault.
If you sustain injuries due to an auto accident while performing job-related duties, you may be able to file a workers’ comp claim. If you decide to file a civil suit as well, a two-pronged approach could get complicated, but it could also increase the compensation you receive.