According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 40% of fatal workplace accidents occur in automobiles or other transportation-related vehicles like tractor-trailers, trains, ships, or airplanes. That means vehicle-related accidents are the most common type of workplace accident.[1]
In a research paper published by the National Safety Council, researchers found that the industry where workers were most at risk for workplace accidents was transportation and warehousing. In these two industries, workers are often made to overexert themselves or work to exhaustion while driving vehicles or operating heavy machinery.[2]
That same paper found that transportation was also the industry where workers were most at risk for falls, slips, and trips, another common cause of injury.
Given that automobile accidents are the leading cause of workplace injury, it's common for workers to ask the question, “Who pays my bills if I am in a car accident while on the clock?”
The Importance of Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim Properly
Injured workers need time to recover from their injuries, which means weeks or even months away from the job. But who pays the bills when recovering from a workplace injury? If the worker files a workers' compensation claim properly, their employer's insurance company will be obligated to pay the injured worker a compensation package to cover missed wages while the worker recovers.
However, employers' insurance companies (and sometimes the employers themselves) have a financial incentive to decline workers' compensation claims. When unable to do that, insurance companies will try to offer far less compensation than what the injured worker deserves and is entitled to. That's why injured workers should always seek the legal advice and assistance of a workers' compensation attorney before filing their workers' compensation claim. Such an attorney will advocate for the injured worker and assist them in receiving the compensation they're owed.
Injured employees are most likely to receive compensation for a workplace injury when they:
- Correctly fill out and account for all of the steps and processes on their workers' compensation application
- Receive their medical evaluations as requested by the employer's insurance company
- Receive a second opinion from a medical specialist of their choosing
- Provide evidence of their injury
- Document the injury
Seek Workers' Compensation Legal Help from NRS Injury Law
NRS Injury Law is the largest workers' compensation law firm in Ohio and the state's leading personal injury law firm. If you or someone you know has been injured in a workplace accident and are wondering what to do next, contact NRS Injury Law today by calling 855.468.4878 or filling out our contact form. If possible, contact our team before filing a workers' compensation claim.
Sources Cited:
[1] BLS. "National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2021." Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021. bls.gov
[2] NSC. "Top Work-Related Injury Causes." National Safety Council, 2022. injuryfacts.nsc.org
