If you’re a delivery driver, you know how important it is to be cautious on the job. Unfortunately, even the most careful drivers suffer work-related injuries. If you get injured on the job in Georgia, you need to know your options for getting all the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. Georgia workers’ comp covers injuries that commonly happen to delivery drivers.
What kinds of dangers are delivery drivers facing on the job?
- The most obvious risk of injury is a work-related motor vehicle accident. To make deliveries, drivers often have to park in places that require other cars to go around the delivery vehicle. Sometimes other drivers fail to see delivery drivers in the vicinity of the delivery truck, and workers get hit. In other cases, drivers just crash into the delivery truck. IMPORTANT: To get workers’ compensation for a work-related injury in Georgia, you don’t have to prove that anyone was at fault. The Georgia workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, so you shouldn’t hesitate to file a workers’ comp claim if you get injured in a work-related motor vehicle accident. In fact, you may also have grounds for a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. If the other driver was at fault for the crash, you can pursue a third-party personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. See our car accident overview to learn more.
- Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall injuries are also common among delivery drivers. You might have to carry a large package that obstructs your view of the path in front of you, or you trip on steps or a flower pot while delivering to someone’s front door. In any case, slip- and trip-and-fall injuries are also covered by Georgia workers’ compensation. If the owner of the property where you were injured was negligent, you may also have grounds for a premises liability claim.
- Sprains, strains and lifting injuries are also common injuries for delivery drivers. These types of injuries can have long-term effects on your back, neck, shoulder, ankle, elbow and more. Don’t wait to report these kinds of injuries. As soon as you think you were injured on the job, you should report the injury, and be sure to tell your doctor that the injury is work-related. This is very important. Telling the doctor that the injury is work-related helps to build your workers’ compensation claim.
Note: Many delivery companies contract with bigger companies like Amazon, so it is very important to know the actual company you work for, as well as the chain of companies involved in the contracts. This is important for determining exactly which company’s workers’ compensation insurance can be used for your case. Again, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you look into these matters.
Get the workers’ compensation benefits you need
Workers’ comp benefits do not come automatically. There are specific steps you must take, and it is best to get help from an experienced work injury attorney. Our Georgia workers’ compensation FAQ has more helpful information.