Every day, hundreds of delivery drivers and truck drivers transport goods across town, across the Keystone state and beyond. Some drivers decide to pick up some extra money by driving for Uber or Lyft or work for a taxi service. Some employees have to drive to meet clients or from one work location to another. Unfortunately, accidents still happen, even when you are driving for work. More than 7,000 heavy truck accidents happened in 2019 in Pennsylvania, and overall more than 125,000 vehicle accidents occurred.
Injured while driving for work
If you suffer an injury while driving on the job, you are eligible for worker’s compensation. You will need to inform your employer of your accident and injury and seek medical treatment right away. You then will need to file a workers’ compensation claim so you can cover your medical bills and receive money for lost wages while you recover.
You also may be eligible to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of your crash. For example, if the company vehicle you were driving had a brake failure because of defective brakes, you may need to file a third-party person injury suit against the brake manufacturer. If another truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and rammed into your delivery vehicle, you could file a third-party personal injury lawsuit against the company the trucker worked for.
Getting help with a workers’ comp or a third-party injury claim
You may run into obstacles getting your workers’ compensation benefits or wonder if you have a third-party injury claim. You should consult an attorney if you face these situations after suffering an injury in an on-the-job vehicle accident. An attorney can help ensure you receive the workers’ comp benefits you deserve, so you can focus on your recovery. An attorney also can evaluate if you might recover additional compensation in a third-party personal injury lawsuit.
Sometimes, you have to protect your best interests after suffering an injury at work. With help, you can do that and be able to move forward with your life.