Spring is a beautiful time of year with flowers and trees in full bloom and warm weather right around the corner. Although this time of year can bring about many good things, unfortunately, pollen isn’t the only negative aspect of springtime. Rainfall in April tends to be significantly more than any other time of year which can directly impact the safety of drivers on the road. In Georgia, spring can bring about heavy rainfall and storms which can decrease visibility and road conditions. In fact, a recent study showed that rain increases the chance of a fatal car crash by approximately 34%. Taking the dangers of driving in spring into consideration, if you drive as a work-related responsibility, it is important to understand your rights in the event that you suffer from an automotive accident.
In general, you are not covered under Workers’ Compensation if you get in an accident while going to or leaving work. There are, however, many exceptions to this rule so if you have suffered from a car accident in either one of those situations, you should still contact a Worker’s Compensation attorney to find out if your accident could be covered. The majority of the time, cases in which an employee experiences an automotive accident while driving as part of their job responsibilities are eligible for Workers’ Compensation. These are a few occupations that could commonly receive Workers’ Compensation in the event of a car accident:
- Home health care workers
- Truck Drivers
- Delivery Drivers
- Limo Drivers
If you are in the unfortunate circumstance in which you experience a car accident during the course of your employment, there are two courses of action you can take:
- The first is against the negligent driver who caused the car accident. This would be your Automotive Accident claim and is separate from your Workers’ Compensation claim but also important especially if you were seriously injured due to the actions of another driver on the road.
- The second cause of action is against your employer who required you to drive as part of your job. This is where you would file a Workers’ Compensation claim and could be eligible for Worker’s Compensation benefits for suffering from an injury while on-the- job despite the fact you were not physically present at your employment site.
If you are filing claims against both the negligent driver and your employer, it is essential that you consult a Workers’ Compensation attorney to ensure that your Workers’ Compensation claim goes hand-in-hand with your Automotive Accident claim. If the two claims negate each other in any way, you could have difficulty receiving any benefits for either claim filed. Contact Poirier Law Firm today to receive expert advice to ensure you win both cases and get the justice you deserve.
Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27453134/rain-car-accident-risk-higher/