Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of workplace injuries, affecting employees in a wide range of industries. Delivery drivers, truckers, construction workers, first responders and employees who travel for work are often especially vulnerable to accidents while on the job.
Thankfully, in California, workers injured in a motor vehicle accident during their employment may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, personal injury damages or both, depending on the circumstances.
Some of the most severe injuries resulting from workplace vehicle accidents include brain injuries, spinal cord damage and limb loss, all of which can result in life-altering consequences and a particularly acute need for benefits and support moving forward.
Brain injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when the head sustains a significant impact during a crash. Memory loss, dizziness, mood changes and headaches are common signs of a brain injury, and in severe cases, permanent brain damage can affect an individual’s ability to work and perform daily activities.
Workers who suffer TBIs may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation and long-term care. Under California law, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they were engaged in employment-related activities at the time that they sustained harm. If another party, such as a negligent driver, caused an accident, an injured worker may also have grounds upon which to file a personal injury claim to recover additional compensation.
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Motor vehicle accidents are also one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries, which can result in partial or complete paralysis. Damage to the spinal cord can severely impact mobility, requiring extensive medical treatment, physical therapy and adaptive equipment. In some cases, spinal cord injuries lead to permanent disability, preventing an individual from returning to work. Workers harmed in this way may also be eligible for workers’ compensation and personal injury damages, depending on the unique ins and outs of their circumstances.
Loss of limb(s)
Severe crashes can result in crush injuries or traumatic amputations, leading to the loss of a limb. Losing a hand, arm, leg or foot can profoundly affect a worker’s ability to perform job duties and live independently. Prosthetics, rehabilitation and modifications to daily activities may be necessary to help injured workers adjust. Just as TBI and spinal cord victims may be entitled to significant workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury damages in the wake of sustaining harm, so may those who lose limbs in work-related crashes.
Workers injured in motor vehicle accidents while performing job duties generally benefit from seeking legal guidance to understand their rights. Navigating workers’ compensation claims and potential third-party lawsuits can be complex, but securing fair compensation is often possible when harm occurs on the job.