If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 immediately and give the exact location: road, mile marker or cross street, and direction.
- 2Protect the scene from more traffic if you can do so safely.
- 3Don't move the injured person unless they're in immediate danger.
- 4Keep them still, warm and talking until responders arrive.
- 5Get the driver's information and the license plate, and ask witnesses for contact information.
- 6Ask for the police report number.
- 7Tell the supervisor and make sure the injury is reported to the employer in writing.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Road crews, utility workers, flaggers, police, firefighters, EMS, tow operators and transit workers all work near moving traffic. When a driver strikes a worker, there are often two tracks: a workers' compensation claim through the employer, and a possible claim against the driver's insurance. These are separate processes that can affect each other.
In the report, describe the work zone setup: signs, cones, barrels, lights, flaggers, the lane closure, the time of day and visibility, and where the worker was standing. Photos of the setup taken as soon as it's safe can be helpful.
Deadlines to report and file vary by state. Public employers sometimes have their own procedures. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency and the employer as soon as possible.
Keep the police report, photos, witness names, hospital records and a log of calls. A family member can help if the injured worker can't.
Getting medical care
Emergency and hospital care come first. Follow-up often involves orthopedics, neurology and concussion care, spine care, and rehabilitation. A licensed clinician decides what imaging and care are appropriate after an evaluation.
Make sure every provider knows the worker was struck by a vehicle while working. Some states and employers have rules about which provider handles follow-up, so ask the employer or adjuster once the emergency is over.
Prescriptions may continue for a while. Ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled; home delivery can help during recovery.
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
- A driver struck the worker and there are workers' compensation and insurance questions at the same time.
- The injuries include broken bones, a head injury, a spine injury or anything likely to have lasting effects.
- The work zone was set up or controlled by another company or agency.
- The claim is denied, delayed or benefits stop.
- The driver was uninsured or left the scene.
- An insurer asks for a recorded statement and the family wants to understand it first.
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
Recovery after being struck can be long. Follow the care plan, keep therapy visits, and tell clinicians about new symptoms like headaches, memory trouble or mood changes.
Ask the doctors about restrictions and the employer about lighter work. If returning to roadside work isn't possible, ask whether retraining is available.
Being hit by a car is traumatic. Fear of traffic afterward is common. Tell the clinician if it lingers, and keep the employer and adjuster updated.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: What injuries were found, and what's the plan?
- Doctor: Should I be watched for a head injury?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of the incident report and work zone plan?
- Employer: Who was responsible for setting up the work zone?
- Adjuster: How does a claim against the driver affect my workers' comp claim?
- Adjuster: What is the claim number?
- Attorney: The driver was uninsured. What options might exist?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I was hit by a car while working on the road?
Call 911, stay still if you're hurt and have coworkers protect the scene. Get the driver's information and the police report number. Report the injury to your employer in writing.
Is being hit by a car in a work zone covered by workers' comp?
Injuries from being struck while working are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can I also make a claim against the driver who hit me?
In many states, a separate claim against the driver may be possible. It interacts with workers' compensation in ways that vary by state. Many workers talk with an attorney.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
Workers' compensation may still apply through your employer. Other coverage questions depend on your state and policies. An attorney can help explain options.
What injuries are common when a worker is hit by a car?
Leg and pelvis fractures, head injuries, spine injuries and internal injuries are common. Some aren't obvious right away. Emergency evaluation matters.
Should I give a statement to the driver's insurance company?
You may want to ask questions first about what it's for and how it will be used. Many people talk with an attorney before giving one. This page isn't legal advice.
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).