What Types of Car Accident Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Comp?

 Posted on May 25, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

Car accidents can happen at any time, and they can result in a variety of serious injuries. For those who drive as part of their job, the risks of accidents can increase because they spend more time on the road. When a car accident occurs while someone is working, they may be unsure about whether workers' compensation covers them. Fortunately, workers' comp provides benefits for any injuries that occur while an employee is working, as well as injuries arising from the work they performed. These benefits can help injured workers with medical bills, loss of wages, and other financial burdens that they may experience. Understanding the types of injuries that workers' compensation may cover can help employees ensure they receive the proper benefits following an on-the-job car accident.

Common Injuries in Work-Related Car Accidents

To receive workers' compensation coverage, a person will need to show that a car accident was work-related. Delivery drivers, construction workers, and others who operate vehicles on public roads during the course of their work will usually be eligible for benefits as long as an accident occurred while they were performing their job duties. Accidents that occurred while a person was commuting to or from work or while they were off the clock generally will not be covered by workers' compensation.

A person who was injured in a work-related car accident may receive benefits to address multiple types of injuries, including:

• Whiplash 

  This is one of the most common injuries that affects people who are involved in car accidents. The force of the collision may cause a person's head to move suddenly back and forth or from side to side. This can put significant strain on the neck and cause damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which may affect a person's ability to move their arms and shoulders. In some cases, nerve damage may occur, leading to numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.

• Broken bones

  Fractures may occur in bones throughout the body. Bones in the arms or wrists may be broken if someone holds the steering wheel during a collision. A side-impact collision may lead to fractures in the legs or hips. Depending on the collision's severity, surgery or other methods may be necessary to reconstruct bones and hold them in place while they heal. Since fractures often take months to fully heal, they may affect a person's ability to work while they are recovering.

• Traumatic brain injuries

  If a person strikes their head on the frame of their vehicle, the steering wheel, or other objects in the car, they may experience brain injuries. Depending on the severity of an injury, a person may experience symptoms such as loss of consciousness, dizziness, fatigue, memory loss, confusion, speech disorders, mood disorders, or seizures.

• Back and spine injuries 

  If the impact of a collision causes damage to the vertebrae in the spine or the nerves in the spinal cord, a person may experience significant pain, loss of sensation, loss of mobility, or paralysis. Damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back may also lead to chronic pain and loss of range of motion.

• Cuts and lacerations

  Broken glass or other sharp objects may cause serious lacerations in a collision, which can lead to significant blood loss. In some cases, these injuries may result in scarring and disfigurement.

Contact Our Gilroy Work-Related Car Accident Lawyers

If you have been involved in a car accident while working, you must take the necessary steps to receive the workers' compensation benefits you deserve. At Cramer + Martinez, our Morgan Hill workers' comp attorneys can assist you as you file your claim, and we can address any issues that may affect your ability to receive benefits, such as claims that an accident was not work-related. To set up a free consultation, contact our office today at 408-848-1113.

Sources:

https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/wcfaqiw.html

https://www.dir.ca.gov/InjuredWorkerGuidebook/Chapter1.pdf