If you’ve been injured in a car accident while performing work-related duties, your case involves more than just a standard auto insurance claim; it may also fall under New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system. Understanding your rights and the full scope of your legal options is critical to ensuring you receive the compensation you need for medical care, lost wages, and long-term recovery.
At Mallon and Tranger, we have decades of experience helping injured workers and accident victims across Freehold, Point Pleasant, and throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Our attorneys understand the overlap between personal injury law and workers’ compensation, and we are well-equipped to pursue every form of recovery available to you after a job-related car crash.
Car accidents don’t just happen during commutes; many workers are injured in vehicle accidents while performing their job duties. Whether you’re making deliveries, traveling between work sites, or driving to a client meeting, a crash that occurs during work hours can result in serious injuries, complex claims, and a long road to recovery. At Mallon and Tranger, we help workers in Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, and Ocean County understand their legal options after a work-related auto accident.
Work-related vehicle accidents happen in virtually every industry, not just among long-haul truckers or full-time drivers. Many employees use vehicles in the course of their jobs, and even occasional work-related travel can lead to risk. These accidents often involve multiple parties, making it important to understand the various causes and legal responsibilities involved.
Numerous factors can lead to on-the-job vehicle accidents, some of which are related to work conditions and others involving the negligence of outside drivers. Common causes include:
In many cases, the accident is caused by a combination of these factors. Whether you were driving a company vehicle or using your personal vehicle for work-related tasks, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and, potentially, a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
Virtually any worker who drives as part of their job responsibilities faces some degree of risk. While full-time commercial drivers are the most obvious example, many other employees use vehicles in the course of their day.
Industries with frequent work-related driving accidents include:
Even workers in Freehold and Point Pleasant who don’t typically associate their jobs with driving may find themselves behind the wheel for errands, off-site tasks, or unplanned assignments, putting them at risk of an accident.
The injuries resulting from a car accident on the job can range from mild to life-altering. Because these accidents often involve significant forces, workers may suffer long-term or even permanent damage.
Some of the most common injuries include:
These injuries are often catastrophic and require long-term medical care, physical therapy, and time off work. In some cases, they may permanently alter a worker’s ability to earn a living. That’s why it’s crucial to understand your rights and the full scope of compensation available to you after a work-related vehicle accident.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident while performing work-related duties, you may be entitled to compensation through New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system, a third-party personal injury claim, or both. Understanding how these claims work and how they can intersect is key to making sure you receive the full financial recovery you deserve.
At Mallon and Tranger, we explore every available option to maximize compensation for our clients injured in job-related auto accidents across Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, and Ocean County.
In most cases, if the accident occurred while you were acting within the scope of your employment, you are eligible for workers’ compensation, regardless of who was at fault. This applies to a wide range of scenarios, including:
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t have to prove that someone else caused the accident. You simply need to show that the accident occurred while performing job-related duties.
Workers’ compensation typically covers:
While these benefits can provide crucial financial support, they are often limited in scope and do not include compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, or other non-economic damages.
If another party, such as a negligent driver, caused your accident, you may also be eligible to file a third-party personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ compensation claim. This type of lawsuit allows you to seek additional compensation not available through workers’ comp, particularly for more serious or permanent injuries.
You may be able to pursue a negligence claim against:
Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to recover:
In cases where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may also be eligible to recover through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Because we handle both workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, we can manage your claims strategically and simultaneously. This dual approach allows us to identify every source of compensation, avoid gaps in coverage, and ensure that you receive the full financial recovery you’re entitled to.
Let us guide you through the process, protect your rights, and fight for the results you deserve after a work-related car accident.
Navigating the aftermath of a work-related car accident can be overwhelming. You may be dealing with physical pain, time away from work, medical expenses, and pressure from your employer or insurance companies. That’s why having experienced legal guidance is critical and that’s exactly what Mallon and Tranger provides.
Related: Maximize your car accident compensation: A step-by-step guide
With over 40 years of combined experience handling both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, our attorneys will take a comprehensive approach to your case. When you work with our firm, we will:
At Mallon and Tranger, we are committed to securing every dollar of compensation available to you through both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims.
Our firm recently secured a $285,000 settlement for a client who suffered neck and back injuries in a work-related car crash, just one example of our commitment to securing meaningful results for our clients.
Whether your claim involves a commercial delivery van, a construction truck, or your own vehicle used for job duties, we know how to build strong cases backed by evidence, medical documentation, and expert testimony. And because we handle both personal injury and workers’ compensation cases in-house, you benefit from a unified legal strategy that addresses all aspects of your claim. If you have lost a loved one in a work-related car accident or any type of accident in the state of New Jersey, our team is available to help you pursue compensation in a wrongful death claim.
If you were injured in a car accident while performing your job duties, whether delivering packages, traveling between work sites, or attending a business meeting, don’t assume your only option is to settle for limited workers’ comp benefits. You may be entitled to much more.
The attorneys at Mallon and Tranger are here to help you explore all avenues of compensation, from workers’ compensation benefits to personal injury settlements. We proudly serve workers and accident victims across Freehold, Point Pleasant, Monmouth County, Ocean County, and the surrounding areas of New Jersey.
In addition to work-related car accident claims, Mallon and Tranger provides trusted legal representation for a wide range of personal injury cases across Freehold, Point Pleasant, and throughout New Jersey. Their services include:
Whether you were injured on the road, in a public space, or due to someone else’s negligence, their experienced attorneys are ready to help you pursue full compensation and justice.
Call (732) 780-0230 or contact us online today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us handle the legal side so you can focus on recovery.
In Point Pleasant and across New Jersey, workers’ compensation claims must generally be filed within two years of the accident. Personal injury lawsuits also have a statute of limitations, which is typically two years from the date of injury. However, certain factors may shorten or extend this timeframe, such as when the accident involves a government vehicle. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible ensures your claim is filed correctly and on time.
Strong evidence can make or break your work-related car accident claim in New Jersey. Important evidence includes accident reports, witness statements, employer records showing you were on duty, and photos of the scene or vehicle damage. Medical documentation is equally important for linking your injuries directly to the crash. An attorney can also obtain cell phone records, black box data, or traffic camera footage to strengthen your case.
New Jersey generally follows the premises rule, which means coverage usually begins when you arrive on the employer’s premises and ends when you leave premises not under the employer’s control. There are important exceptions, including special mission travel required by the employer, authorized vehicle travel, and paid travel time. These exceptions come from how the statute defines when you are in the course of employment. Whether a parking lot is under employer control can also affect coverage. The statutory definitions that drive these rules appear in N.J.S.A. 34:15-36. Understanding these boundaries helps decide if a commute crash is compensable.
First, report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, since New Jersey law ties benefits to timely notice. If the employer does not already know about the accident, the statute explains how notice affects when compensation is due. Next, document medical care and work restrictions, and keep copies of every form or letter you receive. You can also consult the Division of Workers’ Compensation for official resources on forms and claim steps. Preserving photos, dashcam video, and witness details supports any third-party negligence case. Good records help both the workers’ compensation claim and any civil claim proceed smoothly.
You can pursue workers’ compensation for medical care and wage loss while also bringing a negligence claim against an at-fault driver. New Jersey’s Section 40 sets reimbursement rules so the employer or its insurer may recover part of what it paid from your third-party recovery. The statute details how this reimbursement works and caps certain cost deductions. This coordination is designed to prevent double recovery while preserving your right to sue negligent third parties. Your attorney will account for any Section 40 lien during settlement negotiations. The governing text is N.J.S.A. 34:15-40.
If you were hurt in a work-related car accident near Freehold or Point Pleasant, the sooner you get legal guidance, the stronger your case will be. We can explain your rights, review whether workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit, or both apply to your situation, and begin building your claim immediately. Don’t wait for insurance companies to dictate your outcome, reach out to us today so we can protect your rights and help you secure the maximum recovery available under New Jersey law.
