If you are classified as an “employee” in any kind of field, you almost certainly have access to workers’ compensation insurance coverage through your employer in the event you get hurt or sick on the job. What many people with this type of coverage do not realize, though, is that workers’ comp can also cover injuries that happen away from typical worksites, so long as you were performing a work-related task.
Work-related car accidents in Las Vegas can often serve as strong grounds for recovery through both workers’ comp and third-party litigation. If you were recently hurt in a traffic collision while you were on the job, the seasoned workplace accident attorneys at Shook & Stone can help you understand and then take full advantage of your right to financial restitution.
What Makes a Car Crash “Work-Related”?
Once you clock into work, anything you do as part of your normal job duties or otherwise on behalf of your employer is generally considered “work-related” for the purposes of workers’ comp coverage. This includes not only driving a car specifically as part of your job—for example, operating a shuttle bus as a hotel or resort employee—but also things like:
- Driving between two different employer-owned worksites
- Making a delivery between worksites
- Doing something like picking up lunch orders on behalf of coworkers
One thing worth emphasizing about work-related car crashes in Las Vegas, though, is that commutes between your workplace and your home before and after a shift are generally not considered “work-related” tasks. This is because of something called the “going and coming rule,” which a qualified legal professional can explain in more detail during a free initial consultation.
Filing Suit Over a Work-Related Car Crash
Whether it qualifies as “work-related” or not, you may be able to file a civil suit over injuries you suffer in a car wreck if you can prove that the wreck only happened because of negligent conduct by another person involved. A successful lawsuit or settlement demand could allow you to recover for various crash-related losses that traditional workers’ comp would not cover, such as:
- Personal property damage
- Physical pain
- Psychological suffering
However, while it is possible to receive restitution through both a workers’ comp claim and a civil lawsuit after a work-related auto accident in Las Vegas, you cannot recover twice for the same damages through multiple claims. So, for instance, if your employer’s workers’ comp insurance covers all medical expenses for injuries stemming from an auto accident, you would not then be able to seek compensation for those same medical expenses again through an ensuing lawsuit.
A Las Vegas Attorney Can Help with a Work-Related Car Accident Claim
Traffic collisions are among the most common causes of personal injuries in Nevada and throughout the United States. Incidents of this nature can and very often do involve people driving employer-owned vehicles or otherwise driving specifically for work purposes. If you were recently hurt in a work-related car accident in Las Vegas, you may have multiple pathways toward financial recovery for your losses.
However, getting the most money possible from your claim(s) can be difficult without support from seasoned legal counsel, as many people unfortunately learn the hard way. Call Shook & Stone today to discuss your options with a member of our team.
