Car Accidents On the Job May Give Injured Victims Options for Compensation

 Posted on August 23, 2017 in Car Accident Lawyer

Every day across the country, thousands of car accidents occur and thousands of victims are injured as a result. When you are hurt in a car accident caused by another driver, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries from the at-fault party. But, what happens when you are in a car accident while on company time or in a company vehicle? While such situations may become more complicated than “normal” car crashes, if you are injured while driving a company car on the job, you may have additional avenues for collecting the compensation you need to put your life back on track.

Third-Party Lawsuit vs. Workers’ Compensation

The Connecticut workers’ compensation program is designed to provide benefits for employees injured in the course of performing their jobs. In most cases, workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault for their injuries. The workers’ compensation system also prevents most lawsuits filed by injured workers against their employers. Workers’ compensation benefits generally cover medical expenses, lost wages, and vocational retraining for employees who cannot return to their previous jobs.

In situations where a third party—someone other than the employee or employer—is responsible for causing the injuries, workers’ compensation may not be appropriate or sufficient. An on-the-job car accident is a common example of such a scenario. Thus, Connecticut law allows an injured victim, in most cases, to seek compensation directly from the at-fault party through a separate lawsuit. A victim may even be able to collect workers’ compensation benefits and pursue additional damages, including pain and suffering, in a third-party suit.

Injured Man Settles Third-Party Suit

A 48-year-old Wethersfield man recently agreed to a $425,000 settlement with the insurance company of another driver who hit him while he was driving a company car in 2013. The accident occurred on Brimfield Road in Wethersfield and was caused when the defendant backed out of his driveway and into the plaintiff’s company vehicle. According to court documents, the plaintiff suffered back injuries that required surgery and kept him from returning to work.

Trial was scheduled for late July of this year, but the two sides reached a settlement in mediation. In addition to the $425,000 settlement, the injured driver has also collected $240,000 in benefits from the state’s workers’ compensation program since the accident occurred while he was working. His workers’ compensation claim will remain open as he seeks continued medical treatment.

Call Us Today

If you have been injured in a car accident while you were driving a work vehicle, an experienced Hartford personal injury attorney can help you explore all of your options for collecting the compensation you deserve. Call 860-290-8690 for a free consultation at Woolf Law Firm, LLC today.

Sources:

http://www.ctlawtribune.com/id=1202792164996/Connecticut-Man-Seriously-Injured-in-Crash-Gets-425000

http://wcc.state.ct.us/