Car Accident at Work Lawyer Palm Beach, FL
If you were hurt in a car accident while working in Palm Beach, you’re probably dealing with more than just a wrecked vehicle. You’re in physical pain, your injuries may mean you have to take time off work, you have multiple medical appointments, plus questions about how to work with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. These cases are more complicated than a standard on-the-job injury, and our Palm Beach, FL car accident at work lawyer knows that. We’re ready to help you.
The Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt has been fighting for injured Florida workers since 2006. Our attorneys have a combined 200 years of experience handling work injury cases throughout Palm Beach County, and we don’t get paid unless we recover for you. If you were driving for work and got hurt, talk to us about your legal options and the full benefits available under Florida law.
Why Choose Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt for Car Accidents at Work in Palm Beach, FL?
Deep Knowledge of Palm Beach Workers’ Comp Law
Handling a work-related car accident in Florida isn’t like filing a standard auto claim. These cases sit at the intersection of workers’ compensation law and, in some situations, involve third-party liability. Partner Eli A. Franks has represented injured workers exclusively since 2002, after spending the early part of his career on the other side, working for insurance companies. He left because what he saw conflicted with his core values. Licensed in Florida, New York, Illinois, and Georgia, and holding an AVVO 10.0 Superb Rating as a top workers’ compensation attorney, he understands exactly how insurers approach these claims and what it takes to counter them. The firm has also earned an AV Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible recognition for professional excellence and ethical standards.
As a workplace accident lawyer in Palm Beach, FL, we handle the full case from the initial workers’ comp claim to identifying whether a negligent third party can also be held responsible for the crash.
A Track Record of Results for Injured Workers
We’ve handled thousands of work injury cases in Palm Beach, FL and throughout Florida. Our firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars in workers’ compensation benefits. That includes $6,000,000 for a truck driver who suffered a traumatic brain injury when struck by another vehicle while on the job, and $325,000 for a laborer injured in a motor vehicle accident while being transported in a company vehicle. Work-related vehicle crashes are cases we have considerable experience litigating.
No Fees Unless We Win
Our Palm Beach work injury attorneys handle every case on a strict contingency basis. You pay nothing out of pocket to hire us. No upfront retainer, no hourly billing. We only get paid when we recover compensation for you. For someone who can’t work and is watching bills pile up, that matters.
What Our Clients Say
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“Thank you Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt! Eli Franks, thank you for your help, guidance, & wisdom throughout this process, making each step less stressful with your communication as well as explanations. I am truly grateful! Having a work-related accident & doing all you can to get well is consuming enough but then having to deal with the unfortunate “game” of workers comp is overwhelming. Please do not try to navigate this situation yourself…Put your mind at ease, call the best… Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt.” – Rebecca Martens
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Car Accident at Work Cases We Handle in Palm Beach
Not every work-related car accident looks the same. Florida workers’ compensation law covers a range of scenarios where an employee is injured in a vehicle crash in the course of employment. Here’s what we handle for Palm Beach workers:
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Work-related car accidents. Crashes that occur while you’re performing job duties such as making deliveries, traveling between job sites, or running an errand for your employer. We build the connection between your job duties and the crash so the claim can’t be disputed on a technicality.
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Delivery truck accidents. Delivery drivers and route workers face elevated risk every day. When a crash happens during a delivery run, we pursue all available avenues of recovery, including workers’ comp benefits and any third-party claims against at-fault drivers.
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Construction accidents. Heavy equipment, dump trucks, and work vehicles on or near construction sites create serious injury risks. Florida construction workers injured in these crashes may have claims against multiple parties beyond the workers’ comp carrier.
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Truck accidents. Commercial vehicle crashes involving 18-wheelers or other large trucks while an employee is on duty. These cases involve federal trucking regulations and may include employer, carrier, and third-party liability.
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Company vehicle accidents. Workers injured while being transported in an employer-owned vehicle have a clear path to workers’ compensation coverage. These crashes often involve questions about vehicle maintenance, driver negligence, and employer responsibility.
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Traumatic brain and catastrophic injuries. High-speed collisions during work travel can result in devastating injuries. We handle the most serious cases, including TBIs, spinal injuries, and permanent disabilities that require lifetime medical care and long-term wage replacement.
Florida Legal Requirements for Work-Related Car Accidents
Florida’s workers’ compensation system operates under Florida Statutes Chapter 440, which governs nearly every aspect of how work injury claims are filed, managed, and resolved. Under Florida law, most employers with four or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Construction employers must carry coverage regardless of the number of employees.
When it comes to car accidents at work, the law covers injuries that occur “in the course and scope of employment.” That phrase carries a lot of weight. If you were running a work errand, driving between job sites, making a delivery, or traveling for a client meeting, you’re likely covered. Commuting directly to and from work, on the other hand, is generally excluded under Florida’s “coming and going” rule, but there are exceptions, particularly when an employer provides the vehicle or when the travel itself is a core part of the job.
Florida also operates under a no-fault auto insurance system, which means your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage applies first after a crash. But when a work-related collision is involved, workers’ comp often provides broader benefits than PIP alone, including full medical coverage and wage replacement without a deductible or coverage cap.
One more thing to know: Florida’s statute of limitations for filing a workers’ comp claim is two years from the date of injury. Missing that deadline can forfeit your right to any benefits, so don’t wait to speak with our lawyers.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Palm Beach Work-Related Car Accident?
Florida workers’ compensation provides specific categories of benefits for workers hurt in on-the-job car accidents. These are separate from what you might recover in a standard personal injury lawsuit, though in some cases, both avenues are available.
Medical benefits cover all reasonably necessary treatment related to the work injury, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescription medications, and mileage reimbursement for travel to authorized medical appointments. Under Florida law, your employer or their insurance carrier has the right to direct your medical care through authorized treating physicians, which is one reason having a knowledgeable attorney matters from the start.
Lost wage benefits come in two main forms. Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits pay two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you’re completely unable to work while recovering. If you can work in a limited capacity at a reduced pay rate, temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits may apply. These are calculated based on your pre-injury average weekly wage, which insurers often try to minimize.
Permanent impairment benefits apply when a work injury results in lasting physical limitations. Florida uses impairment income benefit ratings assigned by authorized physicians to calculate what you’re owed once you reach maximum medical improvement.
Beyond workers’ comp, if the car accident was caused by a negligent third party, such as a reckless driver, a faulty vehicle component, or an unsafe road condition (due to negligence on the part of the city or county), you may have a separate personal injury claim. That claim can include pain and suffering, full lost wages, and other damages that workers’ comp does not cover. We assess every work-related accident case for third-party liability in conjunction with the workers’ comp claim.
Punitive damages are rarely available in workers’ compensation matters, but may be possible in a third-party negligence action where the at-fault driver’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious.
Contact Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt
If you were hurt in a car accident while working in Florida, our Palm Beach car accident at work lawyer wants to hear from you. The consultation is free, and at Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt, we don’t collect a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf. You should expect a prompt, direct conversation about what happened, your rights, and the next steps. Contact us today to get started.