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Are Car Accidents Covered by Workers Compensation?

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

You may not immediately think of including injuries sustained in an auto accident in a workers ‘comp claim. However, if the car accident happens while driving or traveling for work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

When an Accident Occurs During the Scope of Employment

While your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance covers your actions at work, there are limitations to when it will cover you in a car accident. It must have been a work-related car accident.

In Michigan, workers’ compensation will cover your medical bills and other expenses if you traveled for a work-related reason, traveled between work sites, made company deliveries, or ran other work-related errands. It doesn’t matter if the accident happened while driving your car or a company vehicle. You can also receive benefits regardless of whether you were the driver or passenger in the vehicle.

Nationwide, the frequency of workers’ compensation claims attributed to motor vehicle accidents has increased. These claims cost the insurance companies significantly more than other claims for work-related injuries, often due to the level of injury sustained. Medical expenses for injuries like spinal cord injury and head trauma can rise rapidly.

workers' compensation

When Will an Accident Not be Considered Work-Related?

If a car accident occurs in certain situations, you may not be able to receive workers’ compensation. These situations include:

  • On your lunch or dinner break and off the clock
  • Running personal errands or personal appointments.
  • Commuting between your office and home

When considering if you qualify for workers’ compensation, you’ll need to evaluate whether the accident occurred during the scope of your employment. Determining this can be challenging at times, and seeking out a personal injury attorney can be beneficial if your accident occurred while traveling for work.

Employees who drive as their primary duty, such as in a taxi service capacity, can claim workers’ compensation if the accident occurs during your regular working hours.

What About Remote Workers?

Working remotely is becoming common these days and can often blur the lines regarding workers’ compensation. In most states, including Michigan, remote workers may be eligible for workers’ compensation if the accident occurs while traveling home to work.

Since the increase of remote workers is recent, not all lawyers will be familiar with the guidelines. The experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C., can help you determine if you are eligible to receive benefits.

Contact Michigan Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today

If you’ve been in a work-related accident, contact the workers’ compensation and personal injury lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. today.

We will advise you on your workers’ compensation claim and help with insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. Call us today at 866-MICH-LAW and schedule your complimentary no-obligation consultation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.

Emily is a writer and legal professional with experience as a law firm paralegal and non-profit legal administrator. Prior to her legal career, Emily earned her Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs and worked with a government consulting group out of Washington, D.C. Today she splits her time between the Florida coast and the North Carolina mountains.

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