Accidents can happen at any time, and when they occur while driving a company vehicle, questions about workers’ compensation often arise.
It is important for employees to understand their eligibility for workers’ compensation in such situations.
Company vehicle usage
According to the CDC, in 2019, work-related crashes cost employers $39 billion. If you have an accident while driving a company vehicle for work-related purposes, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Scope of employment
To be eligible for workers’ compensation, the accident must happen while you are performing activities that benefit your employer. If you are using the company vehicle for personal reasons unrelated to work at the time of the accident, you may not be eligible for compensation.
Fault considerations
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Whether you or someone else is at fault, you may still be able to get compensation for medical expenses and lost wages resulting from the accident.
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to workers’ compensation coverage for accidents involving company vehicles. For example, if you were driving while intoxicated at the time of the accident or engaged in reckless behavior, you may not be eligible for benefits. If you were commuting to or from work and not performing job duties, the insurance company may not consider the accident work-related.
Reporting the accident
You must report the accident to your employer as soon as possible. Failure to report it promptly could jeopardize your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. Be sure to provide detailed information about the accident and any injuries you sustained.
Workers’ compensation exists to pay for injuries and time lost from the job for work-related accidents. Employees should take advantage of this type of insurance if they suffer an injury while working.