If you drive for work, there is a pretty good chance that you will get into an accident at one point or another. Millions of people in the United States ride or drive in a vehicle as a part of their work. In fact, so many people use vehicles during their work that collisions in these vehicles have risen to the leading cause of work-related deaths.
Take, for example, long-haul truck drivers. Did you know that around one out of three has experienced a serious collision while on the job? As their total miles driven increase, the crash rates are increasing as well, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thousands die annually because of work-related traffic crashes
The CDC points out that over 29,000 workers died between 2003 and 2018 as a result of work-related motor vehicle collisions. These and nonfatal crashes are both costly for employers and workers alike. The last time data was collected in 2013, work-related crashes cost $65,000 on average per injured party and an average of $671,000 per fatality.
It’s possible to get into a crash no matter what industry you’re working in. Whether you’re an emergency medical technician or law enforcement, an oil and gas tanker driver, or a delivery driver in a smaller town, there is a risk that you could be hit by another driver and seriously hurt or killed.
If you are hurt while working on the job, workers’ compensation should help you cover your medical care and financial losses. Our website has more information on the steps to take next.