Car Accidents at Work

Work-Related Car Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX

Has a car accident at work left you with unexpected medical bills, missed paychecks, and overwhelming stress? Whether you were hit by another driver, hurt in a company vehicle, or injured while making deliveries, you could be entitled to money from a workers’ comp claim, a personal injury claim, or both.

At The Callahan Law Firm, our attorneys help injured workers in Houston take action and hold the right parties accountable. When you come to us for help, we’ll look at the details of your crash, explain your options, and move quickly to protect your rights.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your situation with our attentive team and learn more about what we can do for you. You pay nothing unless we recover money for your accident case.

What a Work-Related Car Accident Lawyer in Houston Can Do for Your Case

If you suffered injuries in an on-the-job car accident, a work-related car accident attorney in Houston can help you explore your options for getting the compensation you need. Depending on the facts of your case, you might have a personal injury claim against another driver, a company, or a third party that caused the crash. You might also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. A lawyer can investigate what happened and pursue maximum compensation from all available sources.

At The Callahan Law Firm, we’ve spent over 30 years handling personal injury and workers’ compensation claims in Texas. We don’t just file paperwork and hope for the best. We dig deep into the facts and work diligently to prepare the strongest cases possible. Our team intentionally limits the number of cases we take so we can give your case the attention it deserves. When you hire us, we use our time and resources to pursue the most favorable outcome possible.

Our seasoned lawyers know how insurance companies work, and we use our experience to level the playing field on your behalf. We prepare every case like it’s headed for trial, and we’ve built a strong reputation for our results in the courtroom. Our law firm also prioritizes staying in touch with you every step of the way. You can always reach us by phone, text, email, video chat, or meet with us in person.

What Compensation Could I Pursue After a Work-Related Car Accident?

If you were hurt in a car accident while driving a company car or doing work-related tasks, you might qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can cover any medical treatment you need for your recovery, including hospital visits, medications, physical therapy, and follow-up care. If your injury keeps you from working, you could receive benefits that replace a portion of your lost wages. If your injury leads to a permanent disability or limits your ability to work in the future, you could also be entitled to a lump-sum payment.

Texas is one of the only states where workers’ compensation insurance is not required for most private businesses. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, 25 percent of private, year-round employers don’t subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance. Interestingly, some of the largest businesses in the state have willingly opted to become non-subscribers. The reason for an employer being a non-subscriber is usually financial — the employer wants to save money by not paying for workers’ compensation insurance.

If your employer does not carry workers’ compensation, you still have the option of pursuing a case against your employer to recover money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and physical impairment. By not carrying workers’ compensation insurance, employers can be sued by their injured employee for negligence, and the employer gives up certain legal defenses, including assumption of the risk and the fellow servant doctrine. If you are not sure if your employer carries workers’ compensation, contact the attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm and let them look into it for you.

In some cases, you might also have a personal injury claim against another driver, a company, or a third party that caused the crash. With a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for the full value of your lost income, not just a portion. You can also pursue compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the impact your injury has on your daily life. If the crash damaged your car or other property, you can seek compensation to cover those losses, too.

When you meet with a Houston work-related car accident attorney from our law firm, we can assess your situation to determine what compensation you could pursue.

Who Could Be Liable for a Work-Related Car Accident?

Workers’ compensation claims only cover certain losses. However, you could be entitled to additional compensation for things like pain and suffering or full lost wages if you have a personal injury claim against a third party. To get this additional compensation, you must prove that the third party is liable (legally responsible) for your injuries.

The following are some examples of who might be liable in a car accident at work liability case:

• Another Driver – If a careless driver caused the crash, you can hold that person responsible through a personal injury claim.
• The Other Driver’s Employer – If the person who caused the crash was working at the time, their employer might be responsible under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
• A Vehicle Manufacturer – If a defective part contributed to the crash, you might have a claim against the company that designed or built the vehicle or part.
• A Third-Party Contractor – If someone outside your company played a role – such as a contractor managing a work site – you might be able to file a claim against them or their company.
• A Commercial Property Owner – If dangerous road conditions on private property led to the crash, the property owner could be legally responsible for failing to fix the hazard or warn you.

What’s the Difference Between a Workers’ Compensation Claim, a Non-Subscriber Claim, and a Third-Party Claim?

A workers’ compensation claim goes through your employer’s insurance. You don’t have to prove who caused the accident to qualify for workers’ comp benefits. These benefits can cover medical costs and part of your lost wages. They can also provide disability payments if your injury limits your ability to work. However, you can’t get benefits for pain and suffering or the full amount of your lost income.

A non-subscriber or third-party claim for your injury is different. Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, you have to prove that your employer, a co-worker, or a third party is legally at fault for your injuries. This means that you must show that this other party caused your injury through carelessness or unsafe actions. If you can prove your claim, you can seek full compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Sometimes, you can file both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party claim. A lawyer from The Callahan Law Firm can look at the facts and help you figure out which claims you might have.

How Can I Prove Fault in a Work-Related Car Accident?

Proving fault is essential if you want to file a non-subscriber or third-party claim after a work-related car accident, and you don’t have to do it on your own. You can hire a lawyer from The Callahan Law Firm to investigate the incident and build your claim so you’re free to focus on getting better. Your attorney can take on the hard work of gathering evidence, dealing with insurance companies, and pursuing the compensation you need.

Your lawyer will start by collecting accident reports, medical records, and witness statements. They might also visit the crash site, take photos, and check for available surveillance footage. If another driver caused the accident, the attorney might look for proof of speeding, distracted driving, or other unsafe behavior. If a company vehicle or commercial driver was involved, your lawyer can check driving logs, vehicle maintenance records, and employer policies to see if any safety rules were broken.

In some cases, an attorney might also work with accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly how the crash happened. All of this evidence can help your lawyer build a clear picture of what went wrong and who should take legal responsibility.

How Long Do I Have to File a Work-Related Car Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

If you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits after a work-related car accident in Texas, you must adhere to strict deadlines to maintain eligibility. First, you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days. After reporting the injury, you have one year from the date of the accident to file a formal workers’ compensation claim.

If you have a personal injury case against a third party, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.

If you miss any of these deadlines, you could lose your right to claim compensation for your injuries. These deadlines come up fast, so you should contact a lawyer from The Callahan Law Firm right away after a work-related car crash. Your attorney can keep track of key dates and move your case forward while you focus on recovery.

What Are the Common Causes and Types of Work-Related Car Accidents?

Work-related crashes happen for many different reasons, and knowing what caused yours can help you figure out who should pay for your injuries. The following examples are some of the most common causes of car accidents at work:

• Distracted Driving – Many crashes involve drivers who are looking at their phones or engaging in other distractions instead of watching the road.
• Speeding or Aggressive Driving – Drivers who rush between job sites or ignore traffic laws often cause crashes. Speeding increases the likelihood and severity of work vehicle accidents.
• Driver Fatigue – Long shifts and tight schedules can lead to drowsy driving. Fatigue affects reaction time and increases the risk of a commercial vehicle accident.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance – If companies skip vehicle inspections or repairs, the tires, brakes, or lights on company cars can fail and cause crashes.
• Lack of Driver Training – Some employers put workers behind the wheel without enough training. This can lead to preventable accidents on busy roads or job sites.

Work-related car accidents can happen in many different ways. If you were hurt in any of the following types of accidents while working, you might have a valid claim for compensation:

Speak with a Work-Related Car Accident Lawyer in Houston Today

If a car accident on the job left you hurting, now is the time to act. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to protect your rights and get full compensation. Call The Callahan Law Firm today to arrange your free consultation. We’re ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you through your next steps. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your accident case.