Though many people in Pennsylvania and across the country may have started working from home over the past year, as the world opens back up, so will the daily commute to and from work for most employees. While this may not seem like much of an inconvenience for those who missed leaving their houses every day, it is still important to remember that being safe on the road is of the utmost importance.
Still, the possibility of being involved in a car accident on the way to work affects you and every other traveler on the roadways. As a result, you may wonder whether you could receive workers’ compensation benefits if you suffer serious injuries in a crash while on your way to work.
Applicable scenarios
While workers’ compensation insurance could cover certain scenarios involving a worker being involved in a car accident, it does not cover every incident. Some situations in which workers’ comp may apply include the following:
- If you are on a business trip and must drive during the course of the trip, you could qualify for workers’ compensation if you suffer injuries in a car accident while on the trip.
- If you work in a capacity in which driving is a typical part of performing your work duties, workers’ comp may apply.
- If your employer requests that you complete a work-related errand while on your way to or from work and you get in an accident, you may qualify for workers’ comp.
- If you are an on-call employee and get in a crash on your way to work, workers’ comp may cover your applicable expenses.
- If your daily commute places you in a dangerous area, such as a construction zone, you may receive workers’ comp if injured during that commute.
Of course, details regarding the accident itself will also go into consideration, such as whether your employer suspects that you carried out illegal driving behavior or misconduct that may have contributed to the accident. Nonetheless, workers’ compensation laws and coverage can be tricky, so if you do find yourself involved in a car accident during your work commute, you may want to determine whether you could be eligible for workers’ comp benefits. In the event that you face pushback from your employer, you may need to consider taking legal action.