Going to work in the morning can be hard enough without having to factor in a fender-bender. When you get in a car accident at or on your way to work, a number of different factors can influence the level of availability of coverage. In this article we’ll ask a number of questions to help you determine whether you may qualify for workers’ compensation insurance benefits. The information in this article is intended to be general, but if you would like a personalized consultation based on the specific facts and circumstances of your case, contact the O’Donnell Law Offices today.
Checklist for Determining Whether Workers’ Compensation Will Cover Your Car Accident
- Were you commuting? In general, time spent commuting to and from work does not count as working for the purposes of workers’ compensation. However, there are a number of exceptions to this. For instance, if your boss asked you to pick something up on your way to work, such as coffee, expense reports, the mail, etc. and you were in an accident on your way to the office, then this would qualify for workers’ compensation coverage because of the work-related errands.
- Were you driving a company car? Another exception to the commuting rule is if you are driving a company car as opposed to a personal vehicle. Whether the company car has the company’s name and logo on it and what its use is will be relevant in determining the amount of coverage and whether it applies. However, in some cases, a car with a company’s name and logo on it has been found to be working on advertising for the company whenever it is being driven, even if it is being driven for a personal errand and not a business purpose. This can greatly affect liability.
- Were you driving to the office or one of multiple daily job sites? If you drive to multiple job sites during one shift, such as a cable service technician, then traveling to your job sites will likely count for the purpose of workers’ compensation eligibility.
- Is driving one of your primary job duties? If driving is one of your primary job duties then your company’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage will likely apply to an accident that occurred while you were driving, provided it was for the benefit of the company.
- Were you on a business trip? If you are on a business trip, all travel is generally considered to be for the benefit of your company. For this reason, even car accidents that occur while driving to get dinner after the workday may still qualify for workers’ compensation coverage.
Talk to O’Donnell Law Offices
If you were injured in a Pennsylvania car accident and believe that you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, we are here to help. Schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.