Greenville Vehicle Accidents While at Work
Even minor car accidents can be stressful, often involving insurance claims, lots of paperwork, and other expenses. If you experience a vehicle accident while on the job or at work, however, you may have other questions beyond just the basics. Since workplace vehicle accidents may include additional factors that can impact you and your recovery, consulting a lawyer may be a logical next step.
If you suffer injury in a vehicle accident while at work or on the job in North Carolina, a skilled workers compensation lawyer could provide information and assistance specific to your situation. Our attorneys have experience dealing with on-the-job car accidents and workers’ compensation claims in Greenville and could help steer your case towards a positive outcome.
Evaluating Car Accidents in Greenville
North Carolina General Statutes §20-4.01(33b) defines a reportable crash as any vehicle accident that involves either injury or death to at least one person, at least $1,000 worth of property damage, or damage to any vehicle seized by police after the accident. Such a report must be made immediately, by the quickest means of communication.
North Carolina law mandates, per N.C.G.S. §20-279.21, that every motorist have vehicular insurance meeting the following minimums:
- $30,000 for bodily injury of one person
- $60,000 for bodily injury of two or more people
- $25,000 for property damage
Anyone who wishes to file an injury claim arising out of a vehicular accident must do so within three years. However, that individual may be barred from filing such an injury claim if they are found responsible, either in whole or in part, for the accident. This idea of “contributory negligence” in North Carolina can be complex, making the advice of an attorney a potential benefit.
Vehicle Accidents While at Work in Greenville
Additional considerations may arise if someone is involved in a vehicle accident while at work, on a job, or otherwise acting in the scope of their employment. Under general principles of agency law, a person may have reduced or no liability for a vehicle accident if they were engaged in the scope of their employment at the time.
How is Liability Assessed in Workplace Incidents?
If someone is involved in an accident while driving a company vehicle on the way to an authorized job site for their employer, that individual may not be liable for all damages that contributed to the accident. Instead, their company may bear the brunt of legal liability if they were negligent in their hiring, training, or management of that employee.
In North Carolina, an employer’s duty of care applies to both their own employees and anyone else with whom their employees might interact as part of their normal job duties. Given these special considerations that may arise when a person is involved in a vehicle accident while at work, it may be helpful to seek the advice of a workplace car accident attorney.
A Greenville Workplace Vehicle Accident Attorney Could Help
Car accidents can seem unavoidable in modern life, but having such an accident at work or while out on a job can be even more complicated. If you get in a car accident at work in North Carolina, consider contacting a workers compensation lawyer as soon as possible.
Attorneys have experience dealing not just with vehicle accidents, but also those that involve workplace environments or situations. A lawyer could help you examine the facts surrounding your accident and decide whether it may be worthwhile to file a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim. Be sure that you have as much legal help as you possibly can, and get in touch with a lawyer after your vehicle accident while at work.
