Your Colorado Springs Company Vehicle Car Accident Lawyers
Were you hurt in an accident while you were in a company vehicle or driving for work-related reasons? You may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
While accidents happen every day, many people aren’t sure how to proceed if they’re hurt while driving on company time. Our Colorado work-related car accident lawyers at Heuser & Heuser are experienced in helping clients get the compensation they need after these kinds of accidents. Call our office today to find out how we can help you!
Getting Help Is Fast & Easy
As soon as you call us at 719-520-9909, we start working on your case right away. From then on, we handle everything. It really is just that easy!
You Deserve to Be Paid
Get every dollar you’re entitled to! Our team of experienced car accident lawyers will make sure you’re not taken advantage of by the insurance company.
We Understand What You’re Going Through
If you were injured in an accident in a company vehicle or on company time, you likely know what a traumatic and confusing experience it can be. How will you pay your medical bills and other expenses? Should you file a car accident claim or are you entitled to workers’ compensation?
We understand you’re stressed, in pain, and wondering what to do next. We want you to know that we’re here for you and can help you navigate every step of this difficult process.
Our car accident lawyers handle every case with care and strive for the best possible results for each and every one of our clients. No one should have to suffer injuries while they were just trying to do their job. We’ll fight for the money you need to move forward after your accident so you can focus on your recovery
We’ve Helped Thousands of Injured People Get The Money They Deserve
$1,200,000
Truck Accident
Client was hit by a truck, sustaining ankle injuries, a broken pelvis, broken ribs, and a broken wrist. Client required surgery.
$550,000
Auto Accident
Client was involved in a roll over accident. Client sustained head, neck, and back injuries which required rehabilitative care, several surgeries, and extensive therapy.
$475,000
Auto Accident
Client was rear ended and pushed into another vehicle. Client sustained a back injury and significant lost wages. Client required extensive therapy.
Personal Injury Vs. Workers’ Compensation
As work-life boundaries disappear for many people, it’s important to understand your legal rights if you’re injured in a car accident in a company vehicle, on company time, or while carrying out a work-related task.
After a work-related car accident, you’re likely wondering whether you’re entitled to compensation through a workers’ comp claim or a personal injury claim. To help bring clarity to this confusing situation, we’ve outlined the main differences between the two areas of law below:
Personal Injury
If another driver caused your car accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against that driver.
Generally, personal injury claims involve filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier in order to pursue compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and other losses. You may also receive damages for your pain and suffering or, in other words, the physical, mental and emotional impact your accident and injuries have had on your life.
In order to obtain compensation through a personal injury claim, you must be able to prove that the other driver acted negligently and caused the accident that led to your harm.
Workers’ Compensation
To qualify for workers’ comp benefits, your accident must have been work-related. Usually, if you’re injured at your place of work, you will be covered. While eligibility can be a little trickier, if you’re in a car accident while driving or riding in a vehicle on company time or for work-related reasons, you may also be entitled to workers’ comp benefits.
Workers’ compensation is, typically, paid by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance carrier. Unlike personal injury claims, you do not need to prove fault. If you suffered work-related injuries, you will usually be able to collect workers’ comp benefits.
Keep in mind that workers’ comp claims also differ from personal injury claims in the types of damages you’re able to pursue. Workers’ comp claims typically only allow an injured worker to receive payments for financial losses, such as their medical bills and lost wages. You cannot receive compensation for pain and suffering through workers’ comp benefits as you can in a personal injury claim.
Can I File Both a Workers’ Comp Claim and a Personal Injury Claim?
Many people wonder if they can file both a workers’ comp and personal injury claim after a work-related car accident. Determining what you’re entitled to and the best course of action can be complicated.
While every case is different, you typically don’t have to choose between filing a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury claim. In other words, even if you receive workers’ comp benefits from your employer, you may still have the right to pursue compensation from the driver who caused your accident through a personal injury claim.
For example, let’s say you’re making a delivery for the benefit of your employer and you’re hit head on by another driver who was clearly at fault. You can potentially receive workers’ comp benefits through your employer and file a car accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that if you start receiving workers’ comp benefits, your employer’s insurance carrier may have a right of subrogation for any compensation you get from third parties. This means that if, on top of your workers’ comp benefits, you later win a car accident settlement from the other driver, your employer’s insurance company may have a right to part of your settlement for any “doubly recovered benefits.” However, you may be able to get a reduction for the workers’ compensation subrogation interest benefits paid to you.
With this in mind, you may be wondering why you should even go to the trouble of filing a personal injury claim if your employer’s insurance company is just going to take some of that money back.
That’s a great question!
Usually, workers’ comp covers basic needs like lost wages and medical bills but doesn’t offer an injured person compensation for non-economic damages (pain and suffering). These damages can be some of the most substantial losses a car accident victim experiences. A personal injury claim can provide the compensation you deserve and need for your pain and suffering.
See What Our Clients Say
Hurt in a Wreck on Company Time? We Can Help!
Our Colorado work-related car accident lawyers understand how confusing and overwhelming navigating both the workers’ comp system and the personal injury claims process can be.
We have years of experience and have obtained successful results for both workers’ comp and personal injury cases. Representing injured individuals in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and other surrounding communities, our attorneys know your rights and will protect your best interests.
It’s your job to focus on your recovery and our job to focus on securing the maximum amount of compensation you may be entitled to, whether that’s through a workers’ comp claim, a personal injury claim, or both!
If you’ve been injured in a car accident while on company time or while performing work-related activities, please don’t hesitate to call us or fill out our online contact form. We’ll do whatever we can to help!
