If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 if you're hurt or the driver is leaving. Get out of traffic only if you can do so safely.
- 2If your head, neck or back hurts, stay still until responders arrive.
- 3Get the driver's name, insurance, plate number and phone. Photograph the car and plate if you can.
- 4Ask witnesses for names and numbers, and look for nearby cameras.
- 5Ask for the police report number.
- 6Call dispatch or your supervisor and report the injury in writing.
- 7Save your route scans, delivery app records or package tracking showing where you were.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
When you're hit by a car on a delivery, there may be two tracks: workers' compensation for your injuries through your employer, and a separate claim against the driver's insurance. Those processes are different and can affect each other, so keep both sets of records.
If you deliver through an app or are paid as a contractor, coverage may be different. Write down how you're paid and assigned work, and check with your state's workers' compensation agency.
Deadlines to report and file vary by state. Check as soon as possible.
Keep the police report, photos, witness names, route records, medical paperwork and a log of missed days and lost income.
Getting medical care
Care may start at an emergency department or urgent care and continue with occupational medicine, orthopedics, neurology and concussion care, or imaging. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician you were hit by a car while working, where the car struck you, and whether you hit your head on the car or the ground. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you're prescribed medication or a brace or crutches, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery can help while you're off your feet.
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 fractures, knee injuries, a head injury or injuries that keep you off work.
- You want to understand a claim against the driver alongside workers' compensation.
- The driver was uninsured or left the scene.
- You drive for an app or as a contractor and are told you're not covered.
- An insurer asks for a recorded statement and you want to understand it first.
- You receive a settlement offer from the driver's insurance.
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 your care plan and keep therapy visits. Tell your clinician about headaches, memory problems or anxiety that show up later.
Ask your doctor about restrictions on walking, stairs, lifting packages and driving. Ask your employer about modified work.
Being hit by a car is frightening. Nervousness crossing streets afterward is common. Tell your clinician if it doesn't ease. Keep your employer and adjuster updated.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Are there injuries to my knee, leg or head that need imaging?
- Doctor: When can I walk my route and carry packages again?
- Employer: Can I get a copy of my injury report?
- Employer: Is there modified work while I recover?
- Adjuster: How does a claim against the driver affect my workers' comp claim?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number?
- Attorney: I deliver through an app. Who covers my injuries?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I was hit by a car while making a delivery?
Call 911, stay still if you're hurt and get the driver's information. Ask for the police report number and report the injury to your employer in writing. Get evaluated even if you feel okay.
Is being hit by a car on a delivery covered by workers' comp?
If you're an employee hurt while delivering, it's often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state. App-based drivers may be treated differently. Check with your state's agency.
Can I 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. Many people talk with an attorney.
What if the driver drove away after hitting me?
Call 911, note anything you remember about the car and look for cameras or witnesses. Workers' compensation may still apply through your employer. An attorney can explain other options.
What injuries are common when a pedestrian worker is hit by a car?
Knee and leg injuries, fractures, and head injuries are common. Some aren't obvious right away. Get a full evaluation.
When can I go back to delivering after being hit?
Your doctor decides based on your injuries. Ask for written restrictions. Share them with your employer.
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).