Car Accidents on the Job

Massachusetts Disability Lawyers

The Massachusetts disability lawyers at Kantrovitz & Associates are dedicated to helping injured workers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Our Boston office has an established reputation for excellence as a downtown law firm with small town courtesy. At Kantrovitz & Associates, we put over 20 years of legal experience to work for you in securing workers’ compensation benefits for job-related car accidents and injuries.

Car Accidents at Work

Traffic accidents and related injuries cost employers $2 billion in workers’ compensation benefits annually. Although motor vehicle accidents make up only 2 percent of claims, they represent more than 5.5 percent of total workers’ compensation losses because they comprise a disproportionate share of the most severe injuries. Specifically, car accidents cause over one fifth of all work-related fatalities, 7 percent of permanent injuries, and 3.5 percent of temporary total and permanent partial disability. In all, accidents account for 20 percent of severe work injuries.

Car Accident Dangers

Over 20,000 workers are injured in traffic accidents each year. Employees are constantly exposed to collisions as they commute to and from work and use their vehicles as part of the job. Work-related collisions result in one injury every 14 minutes, totaling 96 injuries per day. These crashes may involve:

• Crushing injuries
• Construction zones
• Hitting fixed objects
• Sideswipe collisions
• Long-distance hauling
• Trucks, tractor-trailers
• Road, highway repairs
• Work with lane closures
• Off-road, industrial vehicles
• Agriculture, forestry tractors

Truck-related accidents, including crashes, jackknifes, and upsets, typically cause the most severe injuries and make up a higher share of vehicle fatalities. But other occupations also depend on driving or riding to various locations to carry out employment duties. As a result, job categories at risk for the second-largest class of collision-related injuries include those of:

• Chauffeurs
• Messengers
• Public utilities
• Sales, collection
• Law enforcement
• Personal assistants
• Emergency service
• Managers, executives
• Rental, shuttle service
• Home health providers
• Auto service and repair
• Event planning, catering
• Clerical office employees

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the primary causes of fatalities are being run over, colliding with other mobile equipment, and being struck or caught between the vehicle and machines. The Department of Industrial Accidents reviews each claim to determine whether the applicant is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits after a car accident.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Massachusetts law requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance protecting them from liability in the event of an accident. Most states allow employees to recover workers’ compensation benefits for injuries sustained in a traffic collision. Benefits may include coverage for:

• Partial disability
• Medical expenses
• Loss of use or sense
• Mileage and parking
• Average weekly wage
• Surgery, rehabilitation
• Prescription medication
• Temporary total disability
• Permanent, total incapacity

Recovering Benefits for Car Accidents

If you were injured in a work-related car accident, the Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys of Kantrovitz & Associates can help. For over 20 years, we have assisted injured workers in recovering the compensation they deserve. We are proud to serve the diligent employees of Boston, Plymouth, Norfolk, Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Merrimack River. To maximize your award and recover your injury-related costs, call 800-367-0871 for a free consultation or contact us online.