For many California employees, driving is simply part of the job. Whether you travel between worksites, make deliveries, visit clients, transport equipment, or operate a commercial vehicle, spending time behind the wheel can expose you to the risk of a serious accident. When a crash occurs during the course of your employment, you may wonder whether workers' compensation benefits are available.
The answer depends on the circumstances of the accident. While many work-related car accidents qualify for workers' compensation benefits, there are important exceptions. Understanding when an accident is considered work-related can help you protect your rights and avoid costly mistakes after an injury.
What Is Considered a Work-Related Car Accident?
In general, a work-related car accident is one that occurs while an employee is performing job duties or acting within the scope of their employment.
Examples may include:
- Driving to meet a client
- Traveling between multiple job sites
- Making deliveries
- Transporting tools or equipment
- Running errands for an employer
- Traveling as part of a sales position
- Driving a company vehicle for work purposes
- Operating a commercial truck as part of your job
When an accident occurs during one of these activities, the injured employee may be eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits regardless of who caused the collision.
Employees injured while driving for work should report the accident as soon as possible and seek appropriate medical care. Our attorneys help injured workers throughout California understand their rights after work-related car accidents and pursue the benefits they deserve.
Does It Matter Who Caused the Accident?
One of the most important differences between workers' compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits is that workers' compensation is generally considered a no-fault system.
This means you typically do not have to prove another person caused the accident in order to qualify for benefits. If you were acting within the course and scope of your employment when the collision occurred, you may still be eligible for workers' compensation even if another driver caused the crash or if no one was clearly at fault.
However, establishing that the accident occurred while performing work duties is often a key part of the claim.
What Is the "Going and Coming" Rule?
Not every accident that occurs on the road qualifies for workers' compensation.
California generally follows what is known as the "going and coming" rule. Under this rule, employees commuting between home and their regular workplace are typically not covered by workers' compensation because they are not yet performing work duties.
For example:
- Driving from home to the office before your shift usually is not covered.
- Driving home after work generally is not covered.
There are important exceptions, however. Coverage may exist if:
- Your employer requires you to travel between multiple job locations.
- You are running an errand for your employer.
- You are traveling to a temporary worksite.
- You are using your personal vehicle for business purposes.
- You are traveling as part of your regular job duties.
Because these situations can become fact-specific, speaking with an experienced workers' compensation attorney is often the best way to determine whether your accident qualifies.
What Benefits May Be Available?
If your work-related car accident is covered by workers' compensation, you may be entitled to several important benefits.
Depending on your injuries, these benefits may include:
- Medical treatment
- Hospital expenses
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Mileage reimbursement for medical appointments
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits in certain situations
Workers' compensation exists to help injured employees recover without having to prove negligence. However, insurance carriers may still dispute whether an accident occurred within the course of employment or challenge the extent of an employee's injuries.
Can You Also File a Personal Injury Claim?
Sometimes, yes.
If another driver caused the accident, you may have two separate legal claims.
The first is your workers' compensation claim against your employer's insurance carrier.
The second may be a third-party personal injury claim against the negligent driver who caused the collision.
Unlike workers' compensation, a personal injury claim may allow you to recover damages that are not available through workers' compensation, such as pain and suffering.
This situation commonly arises when:
- Another motorist causes the crash.
- A commercial trucking company is responsible for the accident.
- A defective vehicle or defective auto part contributed to the collision.
- A government entity failed to maintain a safe roadway.
Employees injured in work-related truck accidents may also have multiple avenues for financial recovery depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
What Should You Do After a Work-Related Vehicle Accident?
Taking the right steps immediately after an accident can help protect both your health and your workers' compensation claim.
If possible, you should:
- Report the accident to your employer promptly.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Follow your physician's treatment recommendations.
- Keep copies of medical records and accident documentation.
- Take photographs of the accident scene if it is safe to do so.
- Obtain contact information for witnesses.
- Avoid discussing fault until the facts have been investigated.
- Speak with an attorney if your claim is delayed or denied.
Even relatively minor accidents can result in injuries that become more serious over time. Prompt medical evaluation is important for both your recovery and your claim.
We Can Help You Understand Your Rights
Work-related car accidents can raise complicated legal questions, particularly when employers or insurance companies dispute whether an injury occurred in the course of employment. Understanding your rights early can make a significant difference in protecting the benefits available to you.
If you were injured in a work-related car accident or have questions about your workers' compensation claim, our attorneys are here to help. Call us today or connect with us online to schedule a consultation and learn more about your rights and the benefits that may be available to you.
