Accident In The Company Car: Collecting Worker's Compensation & Suing The Other Driver At The Same Time
If you were injured in an auto accident while driving a company car, you may be able to claim worker's compensation and sue the other driver at the same time. However, you can only sue the other driver if he or she is at fault for the car accident. And, you can only claim worker's compensation if you were driving the company car while traveling to or from work, performing a work duty, or running a special errand for your employer. There are situations in which both of these scenarios hold true. Keep reading this article to get a heads up on your options for receiving compensation for any injuries and damages sustained during a car accident you had while driving a company car.
Worker's Compensation Claim
Worker's compensation, or worker's comp for short, is a type of insurance that covers an employee's salary and medical expenses when injured on the job, in exchange for that employee's right to sue his or her employer. But most companies are required to carry this insurance in the event an employee is injured on the job. The specifics of a worker's comp plan differ in every state and among companies. Every state has its own individual worker's compensation insurance program, which follows worker's compensation benefit laws in that state. There is also a federal worker's comp program available to federal employees only. You can find detailed information about your state's specific worker's compensation laws at the United States Department Of Labor website.
Filing A Lawsuit Against The Driver At Fault
If you were involved in an auto accident caused by another driver, then you have the right to sue that person. Even if the other driver is only partly at fault, you can still sue him or her. The compensation you receive when you win your lawsuit can be used in any manner you wish, though it's always a good idea to use it for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, or the purchase of a new vehicle. If you decide to sue the other driver, it's important that you call an accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner your lawyer gets involved, the better off you'll be, because it's easier to obtain information when the event is recent. And your lawyer can ensure you take the appropriate steps throughout the legal process to ensure everything is done properly and according to state and federal laws.
Benefit Of Claiming Worker's Comp And Suing The Other Driver
When you claim worker's comp and sue the other driver, you can rest assured that all your bases are covered. This is because you won't receive money for pain and suffering from a worker's compensation claim. And there's a good chance that 100% of your medical expenses won't be covered by worker's compensation alone. When you submit a worker's comp claim and sue the other driver at the same time, you won't have to worry about the mounting medical bills, large repair bills, loss of wages, or any other financial problems that may arise. You can request compensation from the other driver to cover any expenses, lost wages, and other things lost to you that worker's compensation doesn't cover.
Now you should have a good idea as to whether or not you can claim worker's compensation and sue the other driver for compensation after being involved in an accident while driving your company's car. If you have any questions, contact a local auto accident lawyer from a law firm like Clearfield & Kofsky. He or she can answer all your questions and help you make the best decision for you. You can then hire this lawyer to help you every step of the way. There is no reason for you to go through this type of situation on your own.