Work-Related Car Accident Attorneys in NC

driver behind wheel of car

Whether you are a professional driver or were just out running work errands, if you have been involved in a work-related car accident in North Carolina, you need to understand your legal rights. If you suffered injuries in a work-related crash, you could be entitled to multiple types of financial compensation for your losses. For example, if you were engaged in work-related activities when the accident occurred, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If another driver was at fault for the accident, you could and should also file a personal injury claim for compensation.

Depending on the nature of your accident, it may be difficult to determine where to start. The experienced work-related car accident attorneys of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, can help. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case with a knowledgeable lawyer during a free consultation.

Understanding Compensation After an Auto Accident on the Job

A car accident could be considered work-related if you are involved in a collision while:

  • You are driving for work-related reasons at your place of work.
  • You are running an errand for your employer or boss.
  • You are making work-related deliveries.
  • You are transporting another employee for work-related reasons.
  • You driving for a living.
  • You are required to travel for work and have no fixed office location.
  • Your employer pays you for your travel time to or from home.

In most cases, simply commuting to or from work does not count as work-related driving. However, if any of the above conditions applied at the time of your accident, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for injuries caused by the crash.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation claims are different from personal injury claims for several reasons.

  • First, you must be an employee to qualify for workers’ comp benefits.
  • Second, it’s not necessary to prove that another person or entity was at fault to recover workers’ comp.
  • Lastly, workers’ compensation benefits only cover certain types of losses, including medical expenses and lost wages. Any workers’ comp benefits you receive will not cover property damage or pain and suffering.

Personal Injury Claims

In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you could have grounds to seek compensation in a personal injury claim if another driver was at fault for your accident. If you can prove that another party was responsible for your work-related car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Incidental expenses, such as travel costs
  • Lost wages from missed time at work
  • Lost future earning potential
  • Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
  • Losses in quality of life

At Possion, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, our attorneys have extensive experience handling cases that involve both workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim. We can walk you through what to expect and help you demand the maximum payment you deserve.

Time Limits for Filing a Claim

If you plan to file a personal injury claim or workers’ comp claim in North Carolina, it’s important to understand the legal time limits that apply:

  • Workers’ compensation claims – Eligible North Carolina employees must file workers’ compensation claims within two years of the date of the work-related car accident. Keep in mind that you are also required to notify your employer of the accident in writing within 30 days.
  • Personal injury claims – The time limit for filing a personal injury claim in North Carolina is generally three years from the date of your work-related car accident; however, there are some exceptions. For instance, wrongful death claims have a two-year statute of limitations.

It’s critical to act quickly if you are injured in a work-related car accident. You need to understand your legal options, and you don’t want to miss any important deadlines.

What to Do After a Car Accident at Work

After a car accident at work, there are several key steps you can take to protect your legal rights and your ability to recover compensation for your losses:

  • Seek immediate medical attention and follow through on your doctor’s orders for rest, medication, and treatment.
  • Give notice to your employer of the accident as soon as possible. Submit a written report of what happened within 30 days.
  • Record everything you can about the accident, including your personal recollection of what happened, photos of your injuries and property damage, and statements from any other vehicle occupants or eyewitnesses.
  • Keep track of any expenses or financial losses you incur due to the accident, including medical bills, incidental costs, property repair or replacement costs, and lost wages from missed time at work.
  • Stay off social media and do not talk about your case with coworkers. Insurance companies will try to use your words and photos against you.
  • Contact a qualified attorney with experience handling work-related car accident cases in North Carolina.

How a North Carolina Work-Related Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you were injured in an auto accident on the job, contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, as soon as possible. We can review your case, identify all possible avenues for recovery, and help you seek the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.

Our family-run law firm has more than 40 years of experience serving injury victims throughout Wadesboro, Wilmington, and across North Carolina. When you are ready to act, contact us for a free consultation. There are no fees for us to begin work on your case. You only pay us if we recover money for you.