If you commute to work, you may have to spend hours every day on the road. Every minute you spend commuting is a minute that you are at risk of being injured in a commuting accident. It can be easy to forget how dangerous your commute might be, but you should understand your legal rights and options if you are hurt on your way to or from work due to someone else’s negligence.
Why Do Commuting Accidents Happen?
People commuting to and from work are at risk of being injured in accidents on their commute for several reasons, including:
- Drivers rushing home at the end of the work day or the work week, which can cause motorists to engage in distracted, reckless, or aggressive driving
- Road congestion during morning and evening rush hour
- Workers in a bad mood after the work day engaging in aggressive or violent behavior
Even if you commute by another mode of transportation other than a car, you may still be at risk of being injured in an accident.
Types of Accidents That Can Happen to Commuters
Commuters travel to and from work in many different ways. As a result, they may be injured in accidents such as:
- Car accidents
- Uber & Lyft accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Scooter accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Subway accidents
- Bus accidents, including public transit buses and shuttle buses
- Train accidents, including commuter rail and Amtrak accidents
- Boat accidents
While commuters may be injured by being involved in a crash, they can also just as easily be hurt by falling down stairs, being crushed by subway doors, or being assaulted by a fellow public transit passenger.
What Can You Recover If You Were Injured in Your Commute to Work?
If you were injured on your commute to or from work due to someone else’s actions, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Costs of medical treatment and physical rehab for your injuries
- Loss of wages or income if your injuries keep you out of work
- Loss of earning capacity caused by permanent disabilities that affect your ability to return to your job after an accident
- Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Repair or replacement of damaged property, such as when your car, motorcycle, or bicycle is damaged in the accident
Although you typically cannot file a claim for workers’ compensation if you are injured in your commute to or from work because the commute is usually not considered part of the scope of your employment, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the party or parties at fault for the accident that injured you. Potentially liable parties for a commuting accident include:
- Negligent or reckless motorists
- Public transit agencies
- Bus companies
- Ferry operators
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Property owners
Filing a legal claim for compensation may come with certain complexities, especially if you are filing a claim against a public transit agency, which may be entitled to certain statutory immunities and notice requirements. A personal injury lawyer can go over your legal rights and options and help you through the process of recovering compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Haddonfield Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motor vehicle accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at the Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran P.C. represent clients injured because of motor vehicle accidents in Pennsauken, Voorhees, Lindenwold, Haddonfield, and throughout New Jersey. Call (856) 795-1444 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 264 Kings Hwy. E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
