If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 if someone was pinned under the vehicle, thrown, hit their head, lost consciousness or has neck or back pain.
- 2Do not move a person with neck or back pain unless they are in immediate danger.
- 3Shut off the engine if you can do so safely. Watch for leaking fuel.
- 4On remote ground, share your location with responders using landmarks, gate numbers or field names.
- 5Tell your supervisor as soon as possible and report the accident in writing.
- 6When safe, photograph the vehicle, the slope or ditch, the ground conditions and any load or attachment.
- 7Write down the time, what you were hauling or doing, and anyone who saw it.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Rollovers and collisions on farms, ranches, oil leases, utility rights-of-way and landscaping crews often happen far from the main office. Call or message your supervisor as soon as you can and follow up in writing so there is a clear record of when and where it happened.
Your employer generally reports the injury to its insurer or claims administrator to start a workers' compensation claim. Ask for the claim number. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Note details that may matter later: whether the vehicle had a roll bar or seat belt, whether it had been having problems, the load, the weather and the trail. Keep any maintenance or repair notes you are given.
Keep every bill, appointment card and mileage note in one place, along with a log of calls and who you spoke with.
Getting medical care
Get evaluated even if you walked away. Rollovers can cause broken bones, internal injuries and concussions that are not obvious at first. Care may start at an emergency department or urgent care and continue with occupational medicine, orthopedics or a concussion specialist. A licensed clinician decides what is needed after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician the vehicle rolled, flipped or collided, whether you were thrown or pinned, and whether you hit your head. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. In rural areas, home delivery of prescriptions can save long drives; ask whether that is an option.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You have broken bones, a head injury or injuries that keep you off work for a long time.
- The vehicle may have had a defect, or was maintained or rented by another company.
- Your claim is denied because you were told you were driving for personal reasons or off the job.
- You were working on land owned or operated by someone other than your employer.
- You feel pressured not to report the accident or to keep working hurt.
- There is disagreement about whether you can return to riding or driving.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow the care plan, and keep follow-up visits even when you are busy with seasonal work. Healing broken bones or a concussion usually needs time, and pushing too soon can set you back.
Ask your doctor about specific restrictions: driving, rough terrain, lifting and climbing on equipment. Ask your employer whether lighter tasks or a different role are possible meanwhile.
Keep your employer and adjuster updated after each visit, and save written restrictions so everyone works from the same information.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Could I have injuries from the rollover that aren't showing yet?
- Doctor: When is it safe for me to ride or drive a work vehicle again?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of the accident report and the vehicle's maintenance record?
- Employer: Are there tasks I can do while I'm under restrictions?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and do I need to see a particular provider?
- Adjuster: How are mileage and travel to appointments handled?
- Attorney: Does a possible vehicle defect or another landowner change my options?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after an ATV accident at work?
Call 911 for serious injuries, especially if someone was pinned, thrown or hit their head. Get checked even if you feel okay. Report the accident in writing and document the vehicle and terrain.
Is an ATV or UTV accident on a farm covered by workers' comp?
It may be, depending on your state and whether your employer is covered under its rules. Some states treat agricultural work differently. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency and ask your employer.
I walked away from the rollover — do I still need a doctor?
Yes, it is a good idea to be checked. Injuries to the head, ribs, spine or organs may not be obvious right away. A clinician can decide whether you need imaging or other tests.
What if the side-by-side had a mechanical problem?
Tell your supervisor and write down what you noticed. If a defect or a third party's maintenance played a role, there may be questions beyond workers' compensation. Many people talk with an attorney about that.
When can I drive a work vehicle again after an ATV accident?
Your doctor decides, based on your injuries and any medication or concussion symptoms. Ask for written restrictions. Share them with your employer.
How do I report an accident that happened in a remote field?
Call or message your supervisor as soon as you can, then follow up in writing. Include the location, landmarks, time and what happened. Keep a copy of what you send.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).