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Many jobs require employees to drive a company vehicle. And driving a company vehicle, unfortunately, doesn’t make you immune from auto accidents. In fact, if your job requires you to be on the road frequently, this increases your odds of being involved in an accident. In this article, we discuss what to do if you’re in a car accident while driving a company vehicle in Charlotte.
Call the Police
The first thing you should do after a car accident in a company vehicle is call the police. The police will respond to the accident, move you to safety, ensure that you receive immediate medical attention, and create a report of the accident. Should you seek compensation for your injuries, the police report can be particularly useful.
Exchange Information
If you and the other party are not seriously injured, you should exchange personal contact and insurance information at the scene of the accident. This will ensure that you and the other party have accurate information for the purpose of reporting the accident to your respective insurance providers.
Gather Evidence
Evidence will be crucial if you decide to file a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim to recover damages for your injuries. Useful evidence includes:
- Photographs and videos of your injuries, the accident scene, and any property damage.
- The names and addresses of any witnesses to your accident.
- The contact and insurance information of the other parties involved in your accident.
Obtain Medical Care
Even if you receive medical attention at the scene of the accident, you should seek follow-up medical care. In fact, you should obtain medical care even if you don’t believe you’ve been injured. Some types of injuries, such as internal and head injuries, don’t exhibit symptoms until days or weeks after the accident. Therefore, it’s important to rule out any hidden injuries you suffered in the accident. In addition, evidence that you sought medical care can help your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim.
Report the Accident to Your Employer
Since your accident occurred in a company vehicle, you must report the accident to your employer. In most cases, this must be done in writing within 30 days of the accident. However, you should report the accident as soon as possible. In addition, you should have your report reviewed by an experienced attorney before you submit it to your employer.
Report the Accident to the Car Insurance Companies
Regardless of fault, it’s essential to contact both your employer’s motor vehicle insurance company and the other driver’s motor vehicle insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. This is particularly important if you are not at fault. In some cases, it may also be necessary to notify your own motor vehicle insurance company, depending on coverage and the specifics of the accident. Promptly reporting the incident helps protect your right to compensation and ensures that both insurance companies have accurate information for processing your claim. When providing details, stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault in any way, as this could complicate your claim.
File a Claim a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Your injuries will likely be covered by workers’ compensation if your accident occurred in a company vehicle. Therefore, you should next file a workers’ compensation claim with the assistance of an experienced Charlotte car accident attorney.
Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Attorney
Finally, if you’ve been injured while driving a company vehicle in Charlotte, North Carolina, you should contact an experienced North Carolina car accident attorney as soon as possible. At Bradford Law, our experienced car accident attorneys are dedicated to aggressively seeking financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us to arrange a consultation with a Charlotte car accident attorney.
