With the surge of online shopping and ride-sharing services, there are more cars than ever on the roadways and highways. If you or someone close to you was injured in an on-the-job delivery vehicle accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C., our skilled Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys can analyze the facts of your case and determine your legal rights and options. With over 25 years of experience, we understand how to protect the interests of our clients in these complex claims.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 1.4 million people work as delivery truck drivers throughout the country. Different types of trucks may be used to make deliveries, such as box trucks, large vans, flatbed trucks, pick up trucks, and customized trucks. Common causes of delivery vehicle accidents that end up injuring delivery drivers include but are not limited to:
- Excessive speeding;
- Running red lights;
- Failing to yield;
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or
- Distracted driving.
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that pays monetary benefits to workers who become injured, ill, or disabled during the scope and course of employment. These benefits typically cover medical expenses, wage benefits, vocational training, rehabilitation costs, and disability benefits, depending on your injuries. The insurance policy is paid entirely by the employer and is free for the employee.
Not every accident involving a vehicle qualifies as a work-related injury or fatality. For example, if you are commuting to and from your office on a typical work day, and you have an accident on the way to your office, that would generally not qualify as a work-related vehicle accident. However, if you were delivering flowers for a flower company at the time of your accident, you would be entitled to workers’ compensation. This is because such a delivery would be considered to be “on-the-job” and within the “course and scope of employment,” which would be compensable under workers’ compensation. This is true regardless of who was at fault for causing the accident and resulting injuries. As a result, an injured worker can receive workers’ compensation benefits in Massachusetts, even if he or she caused the injury.
It is important to note that if you were injured in a delivery vehicle accident while working, and the accident was a result of another driver’s negligence, you may also be able to file a third-party lawsuit and collect damages from the at-fault party. Negligence claims allow injured victims to recover damages such as pain and suffering that are not available through workers’ compensation.
On-the-job injuries can lead to long-term harm and interfere with a person’s ability to work. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Massachusetts vehicle accident on the job, you need to consult a seasoned Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney who can help. At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates P.C., we are committed to fighting for the rights of clients who have been injured in the course of employment. For more information, call us at 1-800-262-9200 or contact us through our website.
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