Workers’ compensation is a relatively comprehensive no-fault insurance program. You probably know that you can rely on workers’ compensation to help you cover your medical bills and lost wages if you get hurt on the job.
However, sometimes, the liability for an injury on the job isn’t always clear. In some cases, a third party other than you or your employer is ultimately responsible for the injuries that you suffer on the job. Such a situation can make liability and insurance coverage options less clear.
One of the most common situations that involves third-party liability is an auto accident while you are driving on the job. Who is ultimately responsible for your losses after a car crash while you work?
Workers’ compensation will likely apply
Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of worker deaths in the United States and a major cause of workers’ compensation claims. Employers pay out millions every year when someone driving as part of their job responsibilities gets hurt in a collision.
An injured employee can count on workers’ compensation benefits to cover their medical treatment and some of the wages they won’t earn because of their injuries. However, workers’ compensation usually does not cover property damage.
Also, especially if the worker will be off the job for a long time, incomplete disability benefits that only replace part of their wages could leave them with substantial financial losses. In that situation, an employee may need to pursue a claim against the other driver involved in the crash.
You may have the right to insurance or a civil lawsuit
Depending on the extent of your injuries and the behavior of the other driver involved, you may have two different options for a third-party claim after a car crash.
The first involves making a claim against their insurance policy. Typically, you can count on that coverage to help you repair or replace your vehicle and to cover lost wages and other benefits not covered by workers’ compensation. If the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance or doesn’t have insurance at all, then you may need to file a civil lawsuit again them.
Recognizing what kind of compensation you may receive after a car crash on the job will make it easier for you to minimize the losses you suffer.