Transportation accidents are the most common type of fatal work accident in the United States and are a leading cause of work-related injuries. In 2015, 1,264 workers died in transportation accidents. This was a 9% increase over the number of workers who died in transportation accidents in 2014 and it accounted for more than one-quarter of all U.S. work-related fatalities in 2015. Trucks were involved in almost half of the 1,264 transportation fatalities.
Will You Be Compensated for Your Injuries?
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation if you were hurt while performing a work-related activity. This obviously includes truck accidents and those who drive for a living, but it may also include anyone who was traveling for work. However, it does not typically include your commute to and from work.
Workers’ compensation may apply to you if:
- You are employed as a driver.
- You were running a work-related errand.
- You were being paid by your employer at the time that you were hurt.
- You have no fixed office and you travel for work.
Workers’ compensation may also apply in any other situation where you can prove that you were performing a work-related activity at the time of the accident.
How to Protect Your Rights
There may be a lot of finger pointing after a motor vehicle crash and it is important to know the truth about your recovery. To begin, it is important to know that:
- You may be entitled to a recovery whether you were the driver or passenger at the time of the crash.
- You may be entitled to a third-party recovery if another driver was responsible for your accident injury. This may include damages for pain and suffering.
While work-related motor vehicle accidents are among the most common type of workers’ compensation case, they are also among the most complicated. Accordingly, we encourage you to contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer today. Contact us online or call us directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your rights and your recovery.
