If you are injured in a car accident during your workday, either on your way to or from work or driving between various locations during your workday, you could be able to claim compensation for any injuries sustained.
Firstly, a motor vehicle accident involving injury must be reported to police, and after receiving medical attention, it is vital that you report the accident to the necessary work department or superior as quickly as possible following the accident. With all compensation claims, timeframes are strictly enforced, but also rely on the smallest details to ensure accuracy of circumstances related to the accident but also in determining the final compensation amount.
What are my responsibilities while driving a work car?
It’s highly likely that the company or business you work for will have a car policy in place or there will be details in your employment contract regarding the specifics of using a company car. Understanding your rights and permissions is crucial should you get into a car accident while driving a company vehicle as there may be repercussions if you are found to be outside contractual obligations e.g., driving outside business hours, driving the vehicle for personal reasons.
I’ve been injured in a company car accident, what should I do?
Injuries sustained while partaking in work-related activities mean you may be able to claim for workers’ compensation to cover the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation expenses, loss of wages and pharmaceutical costs. The best thing to do in this event is to contact a to discuss your legal options.
What to do if an accident occurs under work-related circumstances
This will vary for different companies; however, in most cases your employer is liable for any damages caused whilst you are driving a company car assuming you were doing so within your contractual limits. The least favourable situation is to be involved in an accident that was your fault whereby your employer may take the responsibility and pay for the damage which is also known as ‘vicarious liability’.
Can I still make a compensation claim if I was using the work car for personal reasons?
More than likely, no. In order for you to be eligible to claim workers’ compensation for the injuries sustained in the accident, the accident must have occurred during the course of your employment, or travel related to your employment.
Provided that another driver was responsible for causing the accident, you will be able to bring a damages claim in accordance with the CTP Insurance scheme for personal injuries sustained in the accident. Again, the best thing to do is reach out to one of the team at Gouldson to discuss your options in relation to a personal injury damages claim. When it comes to the claims process, your rights remain almost the same as if you were to have an accident in your own car but there is an unfortunately high chance that more HR paperwork will be involved with a company car accident.