Wondering what will happen after an on-the-job collision? If you drive a company car and you are involved in an accident, it is important to know what to expect since such types of crashes can be complicated. There are many things involved, such as proving which driver was wrong, dealing with an insurance company as well as tending to your injuries. Therefore, it is important for you to learn what to do in the aftermath of the accident and how it may affect you. As such, read on to learn the must-know tips on how you can deal with a case of on-the-job collision.
Table of Contents
Check these Point Out
Keep Records of the Accident
It is essential to document the accident so that you can use the information to make a compensation claim. You should take photos of your injuries as well as the accident scene, including other details like road signs and other notable details around. You also need to record the date, time, and place of the accident. In your notes about the accident, you may include some drawings if you think that can help support your account of events that took place. It is essential to take the contact details of the people who witnessed the accident and do not hesitate to ask them to hand you some notes that you can use later.
Report the Accident
There are two types of reports that you should do if you are involved in a collision while on duty. You should report the accident to the police as required by the law in different states. A police report is vital if you are to claim for compensation and other related benefits at a later stage. You also need to report the accident at your work and the person you report to depend on the circumstances of the accident. Most organizations have safety and health officers employed, and they are responsible for handling accident-related issues. You ask someone to report the accident on your behalf if you cannot do it yourself. All the same, make sure that the accident has been recorded in an accident book; each organization should have one.
Determine Who Was at Fault
It is crucial to determine who was at fault, seeing as this can help in determining which party is financially responsible for the accident. If you are driving a company car, this can be complicated if you were at fault since the company can deny responsibility. Another thing that you should bear in mind is that the accident may be linked to mechanical failure, which means that the employer should be held liable.
To be on the safe side, you need to seek legal advice, whether or not you were driving a company car. There are many advantages of finding the trust of a professional accident attorney who can give you peace of mind since the insurance company involved or your employer can complicate your case. In most cases, insurance companies are in business for profit so they may not be of help. While the insurance adjusters may try to empathize with you after a collision, the truth is that they will try to downplay your case in an attempt to delay settlement.
Visit a Doctor
It is important to visit a doctor after the collision so that you can receive treatment for your injuries. You should also know that the doctor will record the details of your collision and they will write a medical report after examining your condition. A medical report is vital since it helps determine the amount of compensation and benefits you are owed if it is proven that you were not at fault during the time of the accident. You also need to check if your employer can give you a paid leave while you recover from your injuries.
Get Paid and Benefits
After carefully assessing the details of the accident, your employer should financially compensate you and offer you benefits after an on-the-job collision. The benefits should cover medical costs and they should also include paid leave. If you find that the employer is not cooperative and you think the collision was a result of a fault in the vehicle, you may make a claim for injury compensation. This can be time-consuming and complicated, so it is wise to seek legal advice from a professional accident attorney. You should do this quickly if you want to be compensated since there are time limits for doing that.
If you are involved in a collision while at work and while driving a company car, there are different things that you should know. It is important to record the accident since this information can help to determine who was at fault. If the accident was a result of a mechanical fault, then the employer can be held liable. Itβs best to seek the advice of a professional and specialized attorney, seeing as neither insurance companies nor your employer would be of much help in the event that you need financial compensation.