If you were in a work-related car crash in or near Athens, you need an experienced lawyer to fight for you.
You need a Gerber & Elkins workers’ compensation attorney.
It may be hard to believe, but statistics on crashes in Georgia point to a crash occurring every minute in our state, totalling more than 1,700 drivers who are involved in an accident each day. And tragically, for 5 of those people, it’s their last day on Earth. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, an estimated 30 people lose their lives each week due to crashes.
In total, Georgia-based crash statistics show that more than 340,000 crashes occur over the span of a single year, with over 130,000 people suffering crash-related injuries. Broken down by vehicle type, crashes in Georgia most often involve passenger cars, pickup trucks or SUVs.
For those driving while working, their lives and livelihood can grind to a stop if they are involved in a serious crash while on the clock. If you were running a work-related errand and involved in a crash, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Talk with an experienced Athens work injury lawyer at Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys to find out if you have a case.
337 South Milledge Ave, Ste. 209-7
Athens, GA 30605
9:00am – 5:00pm (M-F)
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Client reviews
“I was very impressed with the quality of service I received. It was like having a good friend by my side who didn’t stop until I was happy with the ending results. They were honest with me from the start! Quick with communication. Will definitely use their service again.”
“Gerber and Elkins gave me excellent advice on my workman’s comp case. They knew when to tell me to be patient and gave me sound recommendations during negotiations. I was very satisfied with the outcome. I would recommend them without hesitation.”
“Ben is an excellent lawyer and his office personnel handled my case with care. Also he answers the phone when you call which, to me, says it all definitely made the right decision to fire my first lawyer and hire Ben. Workers’ comp is far more complicated than most realize and Ben not only answers questions, he explains the process to you and why he is doing what he is doing. In short, Ben is great. Hire him, you won’t regret it.”
Common car crash injuries
Sometimes a person can walk away from a crash without a scratch. But more often than not, injuries resulting from an accident can range from minor to severe. Common injuries sustained by people involved in car and truck accidents while on (or off) the job in Athens include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones (arms, legs, ribs etc.)
- Abdominal injuries
- Amputations
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Knee injuries
- Head trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Scrapes and cuts
- Organ damage (internal bleeding)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Whiplash
Many of these injuries require extensive and costly medical treatment, sometimes for the remainder of a person’s life. An Athens workers’ comp lawyer can make sure you get compensation to cover all of your accident-related medical expenses (both current and future treatment).
What constitutes “work-related”?
If you were involved in what you believe was a work-related car accident, it’s important to know and understand if you were really on-the-clock when the crash occurred. While the rules vary from state to state as to what injuries are considered “work-related,” generally if you are driving or riding in a vehicle for work-related reasons, you’ll be covered by workers’ compensation rules.
Examples of activities that are typically considered “work-related” and covered under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law include:
- Making deliveries
- Driving for a living
- Running an errand for your manager/boss/supervisor/employer
- Transporting another employee
- If you get paid for your travel time to or from work
- If you have no fixed office and travel for work
Usually, a person is not eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits simply for commuting to and from work, or during a lunch break. But, there have been exceptions to this rule such as if you stop for office supplies on your way to your workplace and are involved in a crash there.
Workers’ compensation, employer liability and car accidents while working
It’s important to note that if you are driving for work and are found liable for a crash (meaning that the police fault you for causing the crash), then your employer will likely be held liable for the accident — not you personally. In general, your employer’s insurance company should cover all of the damages from any other persons involved in the crash.
As for what you can be compensated for after a work-related collision, the following damages should be granted to you — regardless of whether or not the accident was your fault:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Various injury-related expenses such as bandages, crutches, medications, etc.
- Treatment and rehab bills
Sometimes, it’s also possible for an accident victim who isn’t employed by the company to get compensation for “pain and suffering,” but these types of damages are NOT generally available to injured workers.
When is my employer NOT responsible for car accident compensation?
An employer will not be required to pay workers’ compensation benefits if the injured employee was running a personal errand when the crash occurred — even if the accident happened during work hours or if you were in a company vehicle. One common example of this is during your lunch break.
An employer is also not responsible if you were found to be committing a crime at the time of the crash.
If you were involved in a crash during your commute (even if you were in a company vehicle), your employer is also off the hook since commutes are generally considered outside the scope of employment. One exception to this rule may be if an employee is driving to the airport for a business trip or visiting a client on behalf of the company.
Are certain color cars really more dangerous? The answer is yes! Find out what car colors are more likely to cause an accident on Georgia roads.
Work-related car accident FAQs
Is there a statute of limitations to report work-related car accidents?
Unlike personal injury claims, which can be filed up to 2 years after the incident, the statute of limitations to report a work-related crash to claim workers’ comp benefits is just 1 year. For this reason, it’s vital you act swiftly and appropriately after a work-related crash.
What if I’m at fault for a car crash in a company vehicle?
If you are determined to be at fault for a crash in a company vehicle, while on company business, then the other person’s damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.) be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. If you are found at fault while operating a company vehicle when not on the clock, then you wouldn’t be covered under workers’ compensation rules and the injured crash victim can sue you directly.
Do I need to notify my employer, even if I didn’t cause the crash?
It’s vital that you notify your employer as soon as possible after an accident so that they can let their insurer know. When you alert them to the situation, know that you’re not admitting fault or filing a claim. Failing to notify them of the crash could make it harder to collect any benefits you file for in the future. And remember, you may not feel any symptoms stemming from the crash immediately.
Should I ever admit the crash was my fault?
No. Under no circumstances should you admit to being responsible for the accident. There are no legal or practical reasons to admit or accept fault for the accident. It is recommended that you give simple, truthful and honest statements to police and let them be the judge of who caused the crash.
When should I hire an attorney for my work-related car crash?
The answer to this question depends on the severity of your injuries. If you sustained a minor injury such as superficial cuts, sprains or strains, minor burns or bruising that may keep you from working for just a few days, you may be able to quickly resolve the issue with your employer.
But if you have serious bodily injury, such as head trauma, broken bones, severe burns, loss of body parts, disfigurement or cuts that require stitches, you should contact a Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys to talk about your work-related crash. After all, the first consultation is free.
after a workplace injury?
Client success
Our record of winning accident cases in Georgia speaks for itself:
Our Athens, GA workers’ compensation lawyers are experienced in work-related auto accidents
Being involved in a work-related car crash or truck wreck doesn’t mean you have to be sidelined for the rest of your career. Talk with a qualified workers’ comp attorney today to find out the details of your case. Each situation is different and may require a specific area of expertise. That’s why you need the best attorney working on your behalf to make certain you get every benefit coming to you.
Every day someone is injured in a car accident in Athens. Our attorneys can help you navigate the turbulent waters of workers’ compensation law and help you find calm seas — and have smooth sailing through rehabilitation until you’re ready to work again. Talking with us won’t cost you a penny since the first consultation is 100% free. Together we can discover if you have a case and, if so, what next steps need to be taken.
