If your job requires you to drive to and from meetings with clients or make deliveries for customers, you wonder who would be responsible in the event of a collision and what steps you’d need to take. In general, you have the right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits following a vehicle accident if you were fulfilling your job duties at the time of the crash. Depending on the circumstances of the collision, you may also be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. To receive the settlement you’re entitled to, you’ll need to take appropriate action, however.

3 Steps to Take if You Are in a Vehicle Accident While on the Clock

1. Report Any Injuries

Once your health has stabilized, it is critical to report any injuries to your supervisor in writing as soon as possible. Keep a copy of the letter for yourself, and ask for a copy of the company accident report your supervisor must prepare. In the state of Georgia, you must report the accident to your supervisor within 30 days if you want to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.  

2. Confirm You Are Using an Approved Provider

If responders rushed you to the emergency room following the collision, an approved provider may not have treated your injuries. Once the hospital discharges you, ensure all future, non-emergency appointments are with an approved provider. Every company has its own policies regarding healthcare, but they all follow a few specific regulations. Talk to your HR director about approved providers so you are not compromising your case when seeking follow-up care and rehabilitation.

3. Call an Attorney

A skilled lawyer can help you apply for workers’ compensation or personal injury benefits. They’ll prevent you from making mistakes on the application that might hurt your best interests or cause unnecessary delays, as well as help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you were injured in a car wreck while at work, the team at Arnold & Stafford in Hinesville, GA, will help you explore your options. Visit the firm online to learn more about their practice areas, and call (912) 369-4529 to talk to a personal injury attorney about your vehicle accident.