Greensboro Car Accident at Work Lawyer

Were you hurt in a car accident that happened while you were on the job? Whether you’re a professional driver or you were running an errand for your boss, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. You may even be covered if you were driving a company-owned vehicle.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that getting your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer to approve your claim may not be as simple or as straightforward as it should be. That’s why you need an experienced attorney on your side to file your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and represent you at appeals as necessary. While they do that, you can focus on what’s important: treating your injuries so you can get back to work.

Ready to get started? Then contact Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers to speak with a Greensboro car accident at work lawyer for free, and let us pursue your case on your behalf.

When Does a Car Accident Count as a Work Injury in North Carolina?

Car accidents count as work injuries in North Carolina when they happen within the course and scope of the driver’s employment. While this obviously applies to professional drivers, there are a number of different circumstances under which workplace vehicle accidents are covered by workers’ compensation.

The following are a few examples to put that concept into plain English:

• Jerry is a pizza delivery driver who gets hit by another driver while on his way to drop off an order.
• Gwen is an office worker whose boss asks her to mail client invoices for her. On her way to the post office, Gwen loses control of her car and swerves off the roadway.
• Charles is driving his co-worker Susan to the airport so they can attend a conference together. They’re almost there when they’re hit by a delivery truck.

As employees, Jerry, Gwen, Charles, and Susan are all eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, there are also circumstances where a car accident likely won’t be covered, such as in the following situations:

• It happens during the employee’s commute.
• It happens because the employee is intoxicated.
• It occurs while the employee is engaged in an illegal act.

Not sure if the accident you were in qualifies? Contact a Greensboro work-related car accident attorney for guidance.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Work-Related Car Crash

If you were in a car accident while working, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The following are the basic steps for filing a claim:

• Report the accident to your supervisor in writing as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days from the accident.
• Get medical treatment for your injuries and inform the treating physician that your injuries are from a work-related accident. Be aware that under North Carolina law, your employer has the right to choose your doctor, except in cases of emergency treatment.
• File Form 18 with the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

Finally, speak with a Greensboro car accident at work lawyer to protect your rights and pursue your claim more efficiently.

Workers’ Comp Benefits Available for Car Accidents at Work

If you were injured in a car accident while driving for work, workers’ comp can provide you with the following benefits:

• Medical Benefits: These pay for all necessary medical care related to your injuries, starting with emergency transport and care, all the way through ongoing therapy. Medical benefits will also pay for assistive devices like wheelchairs and back braces.
• Lost Wage Benefits: If you’re unable to work at all because of the accident, you’re entitled to 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wages from before the accident, subject to a cap that increases regularly based on the cost of living. On the other hand, if you’re able to work a light-duty role, lost wage benefits can cover up to 66 2/3 percent of the difference between your pre-injury average weekly wage and your post-injury weekly wage.
• Disability Benefits: These benefits compensate you for the total or partial loss of a body part or if you can’t earn the same wages you did before the accident.
• Vocational Retraining: Workers’ comp will pay to retrain you for other work if your injuries necessitate a career change.
• Death Benefits: Should your injuries prove fatal, workers’ comp will contribute money for your funeral and burial and compensate your surviving spouse and dependents.

Can You Also File a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim?

If someone other than your employer or a co-worker caused the car accident, you may be entitled to pursue a third-party personal injury claim against that person or those people. A successful third-party claim can provide you with compensation for things not covered by workers’ comp, including the full amount of your lost income and the pain and suffering you endured. However, you will also need to reimburse your employer’s workers’ comp insurer for any expenses it already covered, such as your medical care.

Why You Need Legal Guidance After an On-the-Job Car Accident

While the process of starting a claim is relatively straightforward, what comes next may not be. Your employer’s workers’ comp insurer might deny your claim on a technicality or argue that you were not actually on the job at the time of the accident. Down the road, they might allege that your injuries are not as serious as you claim, in order to shortchange you on your disability benefits.

Protect yourself by contacting a Greensboro work-related car accident lawyer as soon after the accident as possible.

Talk to Hardison & Cochran About Your Greensboro Work-Related Car Accident

For over 40 years, Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers has been proud to stand up on behalf of injured workers in Greensboro and across North Carolina. We deliver meaningful results for people who’ve been hurt while driving on the job, including the following:

• $3 million for a driver who was hit in the head while his truck was being unloaded, resulting in a traumatic brain injury
• $1.4 million for a man who was hit by a drunk driver and became trapped between his truck and the drunk driver’s vehicle, resulting in a heart attack and necessitating the amputation of both his legs
• $340,000 for a delivery driver who was injured in a car accident

These numbers only tell part of the story. Here’s what former client Lindsey B. said about our firm:

“I would recommend Hardison & Cochran to everyone and use them again if/when I ever need them! Very professional. Great with communication and overall just get the job done! They answered any and all questions I had to the fullest extent and I was more than happy with my results! Thank you Hardison & Cochran!”

– Lindsey B.

Don’t go through this challenging time on your own. Contact us today to speak with a Greensboro car accident at work lawyer about your case and find out how we can help. Your initial consultation is free and fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.