Car Accidents While on the Job: What to Know About Third Party Liability Claims

Car Accidents on the Job

Automobiles have been around over 100 years. Their introduction into society truly revolutionized how we get from place to place and experience the world. Of course, the beginning of automobile travel brought with it the beginning of a common occurrence not so pleasant – the car accident. According to the latest CDC data, over 40,000 people die due to car accidents each year. Of the multitude of motor vehicle accidents that occur each year, some of them involved drivers who are working at the time of the accident. Laws covering how to deal with car accidents on the job vary from state to state.  If you have been involved in a car accident at work, what should you do now?  

Car Accidents at Work

Being involved in a car accident is never a pleasant experience, even if you suffered little or no injuries. When dealing with car accidents at work, the situation can be even more complex and disturbing.  When an employee is injured on the job, they are covered by the Worker Compensation laws that are applicable in their state. Once again, these laws are enacted at the state level and vary from state to state.  Basic worker compensation laws usually provide coverage for at least some lost wages and some coverage for medical expenses related to the work injury. Employees who sustain injuries from car accidents on the job are usually covered under those laws. If you have been injured in a work-related car accident, it may be time to contact a personal injury attorney.

Third Party Liability Claims

Beyond Worker Compensation laws, every state has laws related to motor vehicle accident liability. Many states have what is known as no-fault laws, while others still follow the fault system when dealing with motor vehicle accidents. If the injured employee is unable to fully recover for losses from the state’s worker compensation system, the injured worker may be able to pursue third-party liability claims against the other driver and that person’s insurance company. Many states, including Massachusetts, have time frames for pursuing such accidents so the person injured in the car accident should not delay in seeking the proper legal representation.

Car Accidents in Massachusetts

As noted above, both worker compensation and motor vehicle accident laws vary from state to state. In Massachusetts, the law has established a no-fault car insurance system. In order to seek legal damages beyond what is addressed in the law, the injured party must have injuries that meet requirements as delineated in Massachusetts statutes. The applicable law addresses the monetary damages and types of injuries that will need to be determined for recovery beyond the normal no-fault limits.  

Consult a Personal Injury Attorney at the Shapiro Law Group

Car accidents on the job clearly give rise to some complex legal issues that require the help of a skilled attorney. After seeking the proper medical care, consulting a personal injury attorney at the Shapiro Law Group to help you sort through the plethora of factors that need review should be your first step. To get the proper compensation for any injuries suffered from the motor vehicle accident, a determination of liability is necessary. In addition to getting complete coverage of medical expenses that result from your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and the pain and suffering you have had to endure. Call us at 339-298-2300 today for a free consultation.