The holiday season is often touted as the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also one of the most dangerous for workers. Anyone in North Carolina who spends time behind the wheel for work is at risk of being injured in a car accident. Ice and snow drastically increase the risk for work related car accidents, and it is up to employers to ensure their workers’ safety.
The dangers of winter weather
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that ice or snow is present in approximately 40% of all weather related accidents. Even drivers who believe they are accustomed to driving in rainy conditions need to account for the possibility of the road freezing when operating vehicles during the winter months. Some of the workers most likely to be affected by winter weather road dangers include those who drive:
- Heavy motorized equipment
- Delivery vans
- Fleet cars
The aftermath of a car wreck
Injuries incurred in car wrecks can range from mild to severe. However, even mild injuries can be enough to put a victim out of work for quite some time. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the CDC — estimates that employers lost around $39 billion to work car accidents in the year 2019 alone. In the interest of their employees’ safety as well as their own bottom line, all employers with workers who use vehicles during the course of their job duties should prioritize safety training for vehicles.
Unfortunately, some work related car accidents are unavoidable. When these types of accidents lead to injuries, victims often need time off work to recover and focus on their health. Balancing recovery with lost wages and medical bills is not easy though, which is why victims in North Carolina have the option of pursuing workers’ compensation benefits.