What happens if you get into a car accident on the job?
If you’ve gotten into a major accident at work in a company car or van, you may be feeling a lot of stress. You may be dealing with the pain of an injury, worried about your job, worried about medical expenses, and worried about your legal liability and whether you might get sued.
Here is everything you need to know if you’ve been injured in a car accident at work in Washington State.
What do I do if I’ve been injured in an accident with a company car or van?
The first thing you should do is get to safety and make sure everyone involved in the accident is safe. Call 911 to make sure everyone gets medical attention. Remember that some major injuries aren’t visible, such as internal bleeding, and some injuries won’t be felt right away, such as whiplash or a herniated disc. Make sure you get the medical care you need.
Try to make sure people who were involved in the crash remain at the scene until police arrive and speak to everyone, including the other drivers and any witnesses. If you can, take pictures at the scene: the road conditions, any damage, skid marks, and anything else. Exchange information with the other drivers, including their names, phone numbers, and insurance information. Then call your employer, explain you’ve been in an accident, and report any injuries.
What should I do immediately after an accident with a company car?
Accidents involving serious injuries or wrongful death also involve serious legal issues, so you should speak to an experienced workplace injury attorney immediately. An attorney will take down your story and ask questions to begin investigating the accident. Try to contact an attorney as soon as possible while your memory is fresh. This is very important because the other driver and the opposing insurance company may try to pin blame on you.
Is my employer responsible for an accident with a company car?
In Washington State, there is a legal principle called vicarious liability, which means that if the accident happened while you were doing your work duties, such as making deliveries or running errands, your employer may be held responsible.
Your employer may be held liable if it has violated any safety or labor laws. An experienced attorney will investigate to find out if the company has failed to maintain vehicles safely or has created unsafe working conditions, such as by requiring that drivers work too many hours.
The other drivers involved in the accident will try to hold the employer responsible since a company usually has insurance or the funds to cover such issues. The employer will try to avoid responsibility and may try to battle you in court over responsibility.
How can I ensure that my expenses are covered? What about my pain and suffering?
An experienced attorney will help guide you through all the legal issues surrounding your accident so you can focus on recovering, while your doctor will need to explain how injuries impact your ability to work. A lawyer will determine how much compensation you need based on your injuries or for the wrongful death of a loved one, and will work with you to develop a strategy to ensure you receive what you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a workplace car accident, or have lost a loved one from a workplace vehicle accident, a knowledgeable attorney will examine your case and advise you on every step of the process. Speak with a lawyer for free by completing our online form or calling us at (253) 777-0799 or (206) 462-4334. All conversations are confidential.
How much do you charge?
Our work is done on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay us on an hourly basis, and we advance the costs of litigation. If we help you resolve your case, we receive a percentage of the amount you receive, and you reimburse us for the costs we advanced on your behalf.