Compensation for traffic accident during working hours
By law, an employer must provide a safe and healthy working environment. This is difficult if your work requires you to be on the road a lot. But even then, there are rules your employer must follow, such as:
- Getting the means of transport you use checked and maintained regularly. Even if the means of transport is leased from another company.
- Take out insurance to compensate for damages caused by a traffic accident during working hours.
The insurance applies to all activities for which you participate in traffic during working hours. Delivering meals on a (electric) bike or scooter. Delivering parcels with a delivery van. Or driving to customers for a job or on-site presentation. But also if your employer asks if you:
- Get lunch for the whole team at a takeaway restaurant
- Post can be delivered to the post office
You then participate in traffic for your work. On a bicycle, in a car, by public transport. We call this work-work traffic. If you suffer damage during work-work travel, your employer must compensate you for the damage in most cases. For example, in a car accident during working hours. Because you are on the road on behalf of your employer.
For a traffic accident while commuting, you are usually not entitled to compensation. However, there are a few exceptions to this.
Exceptions for traffic accidents while commuting to work
When you travel from home to work, we call it commuting. Suppose you are driving your car to work in the morning. On the motorway, you are hit by another motorist. If so, you cannot claim compensation from your employer. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, when:
- You pick up your colleagues in the morning to go to work
- Your employer asks if you can deliver a package on the way home
In doubt about your specific situation? Then contact us. Tell us your story. Our lawyers will investigate whether you are entitled to compensation free of charge and without obligation.
