While oil rigs are notorious for workplace hazards, oil worker commute accidents are one of the leading causes of deaths. Regardless of the location of your well site or rig, the risk of a work vehicle crash is a constant shadow over your career.
Hidden dangers of oilfield commutes
To give you an idea, here are the common reasons why oilfield transportation fatalities occur:
- Severe driver fatigue: Long shifts and drowsiness lead to single-vehicle rollovers or collisions into oncoming traffic.
- Speeding: High production demands push drivers to speed up and collide with other vehicles.
- Bad weather: Changing weather conditions create slick roads that have led to serious accidents.
If you were involved in Permian Basin work vehicle crashes, understand that Texas law protects your rights as an employee.
Determining whether your commute is work-related
In Texas, for example, the Coming and Going Rule states that injuries that happen while traveling to and from work are not covered by workers’ compensation. This is because a standard commute is typically not part of the course and scope of employment.
While the general rule excludes commutes, you may recover benefits under these exceptions:
- The company provided the vehicle or paid for your transportation.
- You were on a special mission or an errand for your boss.
- The travel involved a dual purpose that would have required the trip anyway.
Proving any of this is critical to recover compensation for your losses.
Navigating the landscape of compensation
If your employer does not carry workers’ comp, you may have the right to sue them for negligence. Even if workers’ comp covers you, you might still have a third-party claim against a reckless driver.
Because these details are so technical, consider having an attorney review your case. They can offer advice on how to move forward in recovering damages.