Even though we don’t often think about it, driving is one of the most dangerous activities many people engage in daily – especially when it’s part of their job. Each year, tens of thousands of Americans lose their lives on the road, with motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause of work-related deaths. Work-related driving risk is substantial for many workers, such as truck drivers, delivery drivers, and even those running errands for their employers. If you are risking your health and safety as part of your job, you also deserve protection and compensation if something was to happen.
Driving Risk at Work
Time spent on the road is more time at risk of injury. Compared to the average person, truck drivers, bus operators, delivery drivers, and taxi drivers face heightened danger due to their extensive time on the road.
The mere act of driving on busy roads with hundreds of other high-speed vehicles can put you at risk, but several other factors contribute to the high incidence of work-related car accidents.
Fatigue is a well-known issue, particularly for those driving long hours without adequate rest. Employers are required to monitor the driving habits of their workers and limit how long they drive without proper rest, lest they face punishments. Distracted driving can introduce just as much danger as fatigue, with a similar dullness of reactions. Poor vehicle maintenance can also lead to mechanical failures, further increasing the likelihood of an accident. While drivers themselves may be at fault in some scenarios, such as using their phone for personal use, it shouldn’t fall on drivers to meet deadlines and put their health at risk if it means they have to drive while fatigued. Many work-related driving incidents involve employers who place profits over the health and safety of their workers.
Even if you work an office job, you might need to drive for tasks like running errands or attending meetings, exposing you to similar hazards. If you’ve been injured in a work-related car accident or are at risk due to your job, it’s important to be aware of these dangers. If an accident does occur, contact an experienced personal injury attorney team like Probinsky & Cole to learn what rights you have after an accident to seek compensation – and whether or not your employer may be partially at fault.
Unique Considerations and How Workers’ Comp May Apply
While some jobs rely on driving, there is a grey area relating to ‘driving for work’ that affects employees of unexpected industries. If you are performing a task for your employer, such as running errands or traveling between job sites, you are generally considered to be within the scope of employment. Even using your personal vehicle for these tasks can qualify, as long as the activity benefits your employer. This distinction is important because it determines whether workers’ compensation covers your injuries. It may not be as evident of a benefit as someone hauling freight, but employers are still benefitting from your driving if you are traveling somewhere as part of your job.
Florida follows a no-fault insurance system, and in the event of a car accident, each driver’s own insurance covers relevant medical expenses and wage replacement, no matter who caused the accident. However, workers’ compensation takes precedence over PIP for work-related car accidents. This means injured employees can access benefits without using their personal insurance, avoiding out-of-pocket expenses for deductibles and co-pays. Avoiding using your own insurance also means you can hopefully prevent future increases to your policy premiums.
Every accident on the road can have dozens of unique factors affecting who is at fault and how much compensation is available. However, if your accident involved working or traveling as part of your job, workers’ compensation may be available to help. Contact Probinsky & Cole today to learn more about your options.
