The Journey-to-Work: What You Need to Know

 

 

In a fast-paced society, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant grind of work and maintaining your personal life. Without even realizing it, you might be putting yourself at risk for the sake of your boss or company more than you should be. If you spend a lot of time in the car for your job, then there are some precautions you should take and some legal points of which to be mindful.

Work Commute

You might be wondering whether or not your commute to work would be covered under worker’s comp if you were to get in an accident. In most cases it will not be covered, however, there are certain cases where they are. If you’re considering a job opportunity that’s far from your home (20 minutes or more) then you’ll need to think long and hard about it due to the fact that you’re putting yourself at risk for a longer period of time each day.

Journey Cover

Journey cover is a type of insurance that would cover your expenses if you got into an accident during your work commute. It’s something that should at least be mulled over a bit before deciding if you’re planning on travelling to or from work. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the world, and companies will often get a policy for their commuting workers.

The Problem with a Long Commute

Spending a lot of time on the road leaves you more vulnerable to the possibility of an accident while also taking away valuable time you could be spending with loved ones. Studies show that people with long commutes tend to struggle more with depression, nutrition, sleep, exercise, and just overall wellbeing. Not only that, but you’re not getting paid for the time you spend in the car.

What to Consider about Long Commutes

Gas prices are high and insurance doesn’t come cheap. If you really love your job and the area you live in, then maybe these things won’t matter to you. However, it’s important to take in the full picture and decide whether or not it’s really worth it. Calculate your gas mileage and the average cost of fuel, plus anything that might be affected by this commute, such as the need for childcare or takeout food. It might behoove you to ask your employer for a travel stipend if you think they may provide that.

Business Trips

 

 

If you go on a business trip for the benefit of your employer, then you might be eligible for worker’s comp if you were injured in an accident during the trip. Even if it’s during the commute from the hotel back to your home, any expenses incurred because of the trip should be covered by the company. If the business benefited from the trip, then it should take responsibility in the case of an accident.

Work Functions

Some injuries happen while you’re at work, but not actually carrying out your typical work duties. Whether you were injured while browsing a high shelf for a file or helping decorate for your company’s Christmas party, you should be able to get worker’s compensation if you were injured while doing something for the sake of the company.

Special Mission Trips

Sometimes workers are sent on special trips for the company. It doesn’t matter if this special trip was just to get coffee and snacks for the office or if it was delivering files with sensitive information. Injuries can have a massively negative effect on the quality of a person’s life. You should not be held fully responsible for expenses resulting from work-related things.

Work Duties

If travelling is a part of an employee’s everyday work duties, then the company will be held fully accountable for any injuries sustained during a journey that results in an accident. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible for worker’s comp due to an accident, then ask yourself if the accident was for the sake of the boss or company. If the answer is yes, then the company is responsible.

Sidewalks and Parking Lots

Employees are protected under worker’s compensation laws the second they step foot on company premises. If you fall on a slippery pavement on the way into the building, the company might be required to compensate.

 

These are all the main points to consider if pondering over whether or not the long commute is worth it or if you’ve been involved in an accident. Remember to always contact a lawyer immediately after any kind of automobile or slip and fall accident.