Not All Work Accidents Happen In A Building – Car Accidents On Your Way To Work
- Posted on: Nov 30 2021
A mention of work-related injuries paints a picture of a job site, especially a construction or manufacturing plant. But did you know that not all work-related accidents happen on the job, specifically in a building? Today, we’ll look at one such accident – Car accidents.
Car Accidents As Work-Related Accidents
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 percent of all work-related deaths are often a result of workers driving or riding in a motor vehicle on a public road. In 2019, this made up 1,270 deaths in the United States.
As of now, motor vehicle crashes are either the first or the second cause of death in every primary industry group. This means that workers who drive as part of their job might be at a higher risk for motor vehicle crashes than other motorists because they spend more time on the road.
With that in mind, here are the dangerous situations that a driver at work might face if they are on the road for extended periods:
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Distractions that can lead to reckless driving
- Dangerous roads
- Unfamiliar routes
- Different work zones
- Impaired judgment due to drug use of alcohol
While these issues are threats to every driver, they are more likely to be encountered by those who spend a significant amount of time on the road, particularly drivers at work. Additionally, some of these issues, like reckless driving or impaired judgment, might not be the drivers’ fault.
Also, certain occupations put drivers at greater risk than others because they require drivers to be on the road more than usual, or at least more than the average driver. These include:
- Truck drivers
- Police officers
- Taxi or rideshare workers
- Sanitary workers
- Firefighters
- Oil and gas extraction workers
- Delivery persons
- Salespeople
Some of these occupations, like firefighters and police officers, might additionally require them to drive at high speeds, even if it is late at night. This means that these drivers are often in danger of getting into motor vehicle crashes.
Another thing to note is that the risk extends to passengers or other pedestrian workers like highway maintenance crews or construction workers. They, too, could also be injured in work-related motor vehicle accidents.
Conclusion
Typically, the employer covers the driver, sometimes even when they are either partially or entirely at fault. But if they are at fault, the long-term benefits under the worker’s compensation claim might not be provided to the driver. Also, passengers or other pedestrian workers can get workers’ compensation with the help of an attorney if they are injured in a work-related crash. Having issues obtaining workers’ compensation benefits can be frustrating, but when you get ahold of us, we will go over the details with you so you know what to expect from your claim.
Posted in: Auto Accidents, Blog, Orthopedics, Work Injuries, Workers Compensation Benefits