Practice Areas
- Car Accidents & Injuries
- Tractor Trailer Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist Claims
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Insurance Claim Denials
- Construction Accidents & Injuries
- Virginia Workers Compensation
- Nursing Home & Assisted Living Abuse
- Wrongful Death
Blog 
Virginia Workers Compensation
- Employer fails to notify injured worker about his “light duty” work
- Does family of worker killed in carpool crash get workers’ comp?
- Injured on the job while high? You may still get workers comp!
- Do pre-existing conditions matter for Virginia workers comp claims?
- Clumsy employees deserve workers’ comp benefits, too
Firm News
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates may go down in Virginia
Posted on 8/31/2010 - Virginia Workers: You CAN Be Compensated for Job Related Hearing Loss
Posted on 5/31/2010 - Injured Virginia workers: options for treating chronic pain
Posted on 2/27/2010 - Workers may get extra protection against repetitive stress injuries
Posted on 12/31/2009 - Northern Virginia worker electrocuted, another seriously injured on-the-job
Posted on 11/30/2009 - Injured man’s widow wants to reform Virginia workers comp laws
Posted on 6/26/2009 - Workers’ comp case muddied by injured worker’s drug use
Posted on 5/14/2009 - Henrico County Settles in Wrongful Death Case
Posted on 5/1/2007 - Virginia auto workers not eligible for extended federal jobless benefits
Posted on 3/2/2007 - Filing for Workers' Comp Benefits? Get Ready For A Fight
Posted on 3/2/2007
Library
Virginia Workers Compensation
Why employers need to worry about workplace vehicle safety
Did you know that employers have to shell out about $60 billion each year for on-the-job motor vehicle crashes? That’s the estimated cost from the National Safety Council (NSC) and includes costs for medical care, legal expenses, property damage and lost productivity. Workers’ compensation costs, Social Security costs, and private health care and disability insurance premiums can also go up.
With so much to lose, employers have a vested interest in doing everything they can to keep their workers safe from workplace accidents in Virginia when they have to drive as a part of their job. Employers who fail to adequately protect their workers can expect to pay on average $16,500 workers involved in a crash. If the worker is injured in the crash, the expense rises to $74,000 – per worker. A worker killed in an on-the-job crash will cost employers on average over $500,000.
What should employers be doing to not only save money but more importantly keep their employees safe from work related motor vehicle crashes? Here are ten steps that can be taken to protect workers who use vehicles as part of their job:
- Establish clear traffic safety policies that can be enforced, and ensure that local, state and federal laws are incorporated. Communicate these policies to employees, and follow up on enforcement whenever necessary.
- Policies should include a way to report and record vehicle accidents and investigation results. Require that all crashes be reported and investigated, no matter how trivial.
- Include policies that outline consequences of causing or being involved in a motor vehicle accident on the job.
- Establish a driver training and communication program to ensure that all employees who drive are trained appropriately.
- Check the driving record of all employees who will be behind the wheel as a part of their employment. Check all new employees and also periodically check the records of existing employees.
- Ask employees who drive for work to sign a contract to ensure they understand company policy.
- Perform regular inspections and maintenance on company vehicles to ensure that they are safe to drive.
- Establish a reward system for drivers who maintain a safe driving record.
If you were hurt on the job in Virginia, then you may be entitled to receive compensation regardless of who was at fault. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights and what you are entitled to receive after a crash. Please contact the Warrenton or Culpeper law offices of Duaney, Lauer & Thomas LLP to discuss your workplace injury case with one of our lawyers for no cost or obligation.
DULANEY, LAUER & THOMAS, LLP
Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046
Free Case Evaluation
Warrenton Office
492 Blackwell Road
Suite 201
Warrenton, Virginia 20186
Phone: 540-341-0007
Toll Free: 888-907-2631
Get Directions
Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 540-825-6046
Toll Free: 800-741-1012
Get Directions
Why Choose Us?
- We Only Handle Accident and Injury Cases
- Over 40 Years Of Experience
- Offices in Warrenton and Culpeper
- Free Consultation