Employees in Texas can get hurt in many different ways. Agricultural workers are at risk of tractors tipping over. Factory workers can get hurt if they make a timing error while operating heavy machinery. Hospital workers and retail employees may be at risk of violence on the job.
Many work injury hazards are industry-specific, while others are more or less universal. Employees can slip and fall in any employment environment, but exposure to toxic substances often only occurs in certain sectors. When looking at widespread job hazards, motor vehicle transportation is one of the most pressing safety concerns for workers.
Crashes are a leading cause of injury and death
People largely recognize how dangerous motor vehicles are. Crashes are consistently one of the top sources of severe injury and death among people of all ages. What many people don’t understand is that the same is also true for workplace injuries and fatalities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), employment-related car crashes lead to a significant percentage of lost time incidents and workplace fatalities. Obviously, workers who drive constantly, such as bus drivers and semi-truck operators, are at risk of a crash while working.
Others who drive less frequently, like restaurant managers or plumbers, are also at risk of collisions. In fact, in the oil and gas sector, which is a major contributor to the Texas economy, transportation-related incidents dwarf other causes of workplace fatalities.
Various kinds of compensation may be available
Frequently, those hurt in car crashes while working take the wrong approach to compensation. They assume insurance companies intend to help them, which is often not the case. The company providing coverage for the driver at fault typically wants to limit losses. The claims professional may offer a low settlement or may try to trick the claimant into admitting fault as a way of mitigating company liability.
Workers hurt in car crashes have immediate medical expenses and vehicle damage costs to cover. They may also have lost wages to address. If insurance isn’t enough, then they may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver at fault for the crash.
Learning more about common sources of on-the-job injuries can help people avoid scenarios in which they may end up seriously hurt. When crashes affect someone’s health and income, they may need multiple forms of compensation to offset their losses.