Car Accidents While on the Job
Were you injured in a car accident while on the job in Oregon? If so, you likely have many questions about your options and legal rights after the crash. Do you know how you are going to pay your medical bills? What happens if you have to miss several days or weeks of work? What do you do if you have suffered a permanent disability from the accident?
These are challenging issues to figure out after a work-related accident. Attorney Jodie Anne Phillips Polich is here to help you find your way. As an experienced Portland workers’ compensation lawyer, Jodie Anne Phillips Polich knows how to help you obtain the benefits you need. She has extensive knowledge of workplace vehicle accident injuries and how to help injured workers.
If you are dealing with injuries from a car accident while at work, contact the Law Offices of Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., now for a free consultation.
How Common Are Workplace Vehicle Accident Injuries?
Workplace vehicle accidents are widespread in Portland and throughout the United States. According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents are the first or second leading cause of death in every industry group nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports transportation accidents are, by a wide margin, the leading cause of workplace fatalities.
The National Safety Council says more than 25,000 workers suffered injuries in job-related vehicle accidents in one recent year. The median number of days workers had to take off after a vehicle accident was 14, compared with 12 days for most other accidents.
Who Is at Risk for a Workplace Vehicle Accident?
Based on information from the National Safety Council and other sources, some workers who are especially at risk for job-related vehicle accidents include:
- Transportation and warehouse workers – Truckers, delivery drivers, warehouse workers, and others in these industries spend a significant portion of their days working in or around vehicles. The more time someone spends in or around motor vehicles as a part of their job, the higher their chances of a job-related crash.
- Construction workers – Construction workers often use heavy vehicles as part of their job, which can cause severe injuries to workers or passers-by. Workers at a construction site also occasionally encounter other unsafe drivers, which can cause a collision.
- Agricultural and forestry workers – Agricultural and forestry workers often drive tractors or other heavy equipment as part of their jobs. These vehicles can be difficult to control, making an accident more likely.
- Utility workers – Utility workers may collide with another vehicle while driving to or from a job site. Similarly, other drivers sometimes hit parked utility vehicles while workers try to do their jobs, potentially causing severe injuries.
- Healthcare workers – Paramedics, ambulance drivers, and other emergency responders are sometimes hurt in crashes while transporting patients.
What Are the Causes of Workplace Vehicle Accidents?
Some of the most common causes of workplace vehicle accidents in Portland include:
- Impaired or intoxicated drivers
- Distracted drivers
- Fatigued drivers
- Speeding or aggressive drivers
- Other drivers who follow too closely
- Other drivers who do not check their blind spots
- Other drivers who do not yield the right of way
- Mechanical defects
- Bad weather or poor road conditions
Work-Related Car Accident: Who Is Responsible?
If you are hurt in a car accident while performing work-related duties, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover your medical bills, a portion of your lost wages for missed time at work, and other benefits. In general, you are eligible to claim workers’ compensation benefits regardless of whether you or someone else was at fault for the crash.
You generally cannot claim workers’ compensation benefits if you are hurt in an accident during your daily commute. There are some potential exceptions to this rule, though. Examples include accidents on company property, some accidents involving company vehicles, and accidents that occur while running an errand for your employer as part of your commute.
If someone else’s carelessness caused your accident, you might be eligible to seek additional compensation from the at-fault party through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. An attorney could help you determine what benefits and compensation might be available to you.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available to Car Accident Victims?
If you’re injured in a crash while driving for work, your employer is usually responsible for any medical bills related to the accident. If you miss a long period of work, you may qualify for wage-replacement benefits. These benefits are set at two-thirds of your average wages before your injury, up to a limit set by state regulations. For 2022, the most you could receive in wage-replacement benefits was $1,762.57 per week.
You may qualify for additional benefits if you suffer a long-term or permanent disability from a car accident while on the job. Death benefits are available to the families of workers who die in job-related car accidents.
Can My Employer Fire Me for Getting into a Car Accident at Work?
The Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries says employers are usually barred from discriminating against or firing workers hurt in work-related crashes. However, there are ways for employers to skirt this rule by making it look like you lost your job for something other than the accident. If your employer fires you after a work-related car accident, speak to a lawyer immediately.
Contact Our Portland Work-Related Auto Accident Attorney
Attorney Jodie Anne Phillips Polich is ready to help you seek the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve after a job-related car accident. Contact the Law Offices of Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., today for a free consultation.