Receiving Compensation Benefits after Being Injured in a Crash

By Rasansky McKenzie

This month we covered the interesting story of a Texas woman who was injured in a car accident that took place out of and in the course of her employment. While she was initially denied workers’ compensation benefits because her employer claimed that she was simply commuting and not directly involved in work activities, a Texas appeals court found that she did indeed deserve compensation for her car accident injuries because she was on her way home from a required work function, and because she was taking work materials to a storage union before she headed home for the evening.
So can you get workers’ compensation in Texas for a car accident that takes place when it is related to your job? The answer is different depending on the details of your car accident and work situation.

• If you are injured in a car accident while performing job duties, such as making a delivery or running a work errand, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
• If you were injured in a car accident while on a business trip, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
• If you are injured in a car accident and your employer pays you for the time you spend commuting, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
• If you were injured in a car accident during your commute to work and you use a company car, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
• If you were injured in a car accident during your commute and your employer does not pay you for your commute time and you were not on specific work business, you may not be eligible for workers’ compensation.
• If you were injured in a car accident on your way to or from a non-required work-related event, you may not be eligible for workers’ compensation.

Workers’ compensation law can be complex, especially if you are seeking workers’ comp benefits for a car accident injury sustained while participating in a work-related activity. If you have been injured in a car accident and you believe that the car accident was related to your job, talk to a Texas workers’ comp attorney today about the specifics of your case.

About the Author

Anyone can hire a lawyer, but if you want to give yourself the best possible chance at success, call the experienced attorneys at Rasansky McKenzie. You only get one chance to bring your case before a court. Let them put their expertise to work for you.