Data suggests that work-related crashes are the leading cause of death and injuries among employees in the U.S. If employees drive as part of their regular work responsibilities, such as delivering goods and services, visiting different branches, meeting clients or vendors, or to transport other employees, employers should enforce policies to prevent these accidents and ensure employees’ safety.
Employees at Risk of a Work-Related Car Crash
According to data from the National Safety Council, transportation accidents are among the top 5 most common workplace accidents resulting in injuries. The transportation industry is among the sectors with the highest risk of suffering an accident. A workplace accident can cause serious injuries and the most stressful consequence for an employee – time away from work and lost wages. A worker could be living on a tight budget, and time away from work could seriously affect their finances. It’s also important to note that a car accident in the workplace will not only affect the employee but the company as well. A workplace accident could result in added expenses, a shortage of personnel, or not meeting deadlines and deliveries. An accident impacts every aspect of a business, which is why it’s important to establish guidelines for prevention and how to respond to them.
What Should an Employee Do After a Car Accident?
The steps an employee takes after a workplace accident are important for his recovery. The actions they take after an accident could significantly affect their possibility of receiving compensation for their injuries and other damages. Make sure employees understand some of the most important steps to take if they’re ever involved in a workplace car accident.
- File an Accident Report
Depending on the state you live in, you have strict deadlines by which you must report an accident to be covered under workers compensation laws. No matter if you were injured or not, report the accident as soon as possible to your human resources department or your supervisor. If you discover injuries after filing the accident report, let your employer know as soon as possible. Follow up to make sure that the workers’ compensation claim is filed and provide them with all the necessary information to make sure the process runs smoothly.
- Seek Medical Attention
Even if you didn’t suffer any significant injuries during the car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may have hidden injuries such as a brain injury, according to experienced car accident attorneys from Milano Legal Group, some brain injuries are so mild that they may go undetected with standard tests. You can seek treatment from a doctor of your choice or one your employer suggests. If it’s an emergency, visit the emergency room as soon as possible, don’t wait to have a doctor assigned or an appointment made by your employer as this could result in a bad injury becoming much worse. Seeking medical attention is important to determine the extent of your injuries and receive the compensation that is necessary to cover for any current and future medical expenses.
- Keep Evidence and Copies of all Your Paperwork
After the car crash, take pictures of the scene of the accident, any injuries you suffered and property damage – if you can do so safely. Keep copies of all your medical records including hospital bills, prescription drug receipts, physical therapy, and others. If there were witnesses, write down their names and contact information and keep track of the testimony they provide. Keep notes of everything that was stated in your work accident report and the actions your employer took in response to it.
Preventing Workplace Accidents
Efforts should be made both from an employer and from employees to prevent motor vehicle accidents in the workplace. Creating corporate safe driving policies that all employees should follow can help prevent these accidents. Some rules that should be incorporated in this policy include avoiding the use of cellphones while driving, such as making calls, texting, sending emails, etc. Requiring employees to always wear seat belts, obey traffic laws, and promote employees get enough rest before driving. By implementing a safe driving program, you can reduce the risks of employees suffering a car accident resulting in injuries and other unfortunate losses, while also protecting the company’s bottom line.
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