An accident at work is an accident that happens to you during your working hours—like when you're out delivering stuff or working.

An accident at work is, for example:

• You fall off your bike or scooter while making a delivery.
• You are hit by a car or have an accident with another vehicle while picking up or delivering an order.
• You injure yourself while running up or down the stairs. 

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IMPORTANT: Accidents on the way to work also count as work accidents:  

• Accidents occurring on the direct route to or from work are also considered occupational accidents (e.g. an accident on the way to a restaurant or warehouse). This applies as long as the route was not interrupted or significantly altered for personal reasons.
• Here you can find further information on occupational safety. 
• If you have an accident at work, you must see a special doctor: the accident insurance consultant (Durchgangsarzt/D-Arzt)!

Emergency medical care:

• In the event of a serious accident, call the emergency doctor! In Germany, the number is 112.
• You can also go to the doctor yourself. It is best to say that it is a work-related accident.

IMPORTANT!

Doctor for accident insurance (Durchgangsarzt/D-Arzt)

• A normal house doctor is not sufficient for covering the costs of accidents at work. In this case, you must go to a special doctor, known as an doctor for accident insurance (Durchgangsarzt/D-Arzt). Doctors for accident insurance are specially licensed to treat accidents at work.
• Here you will find a search portal for visiting doctors for accident insurance in your area.

 Report the accident to your supervisor or employer:

• If you are unable to work for more than three days due to an accident at work, your employer must report the accident to the relevant employers' liability insurance association or accident insurance fund. You should receive a copy of this report or be allowed to inspect it.
• If your employer does not report the accident to the employers' liability insurance association/Berufsgenossenschaft, you can report the accident yourself (see 6. Employers' liability insurance associations/Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) and advice centres).
• If your company has a works council, inform the works council/ Betriebsrat as well.

Document your accident correctly!  

• Statutory accident insurance covers treatment and consequential damages resulting from an accident at work. However, it must be clear that it was an accident at work. Good documentation is important!

Take photos

• Of the accident location and surrounding area
• Of the vehicle(s)
• Of your injuries

Note the time and location of the accident

• Date and time
• Where exactly did it happen?

Record the sequence of events

• How did the accident happen?
• What were you doing at the time?

Note down witnesses

• Who saw the accident?
• Write down their contact details!

What will I receive from accident insurance?

• If you are employed, you are usually automatically covered by accident insurance through the employers' liability insurance association /Berufsgenossenschaft (BG). 
• However, you may also be insured in cases of bogus self-employment or undocumented work.
• Have your case reviewed by the employers' liability insurance association /Berufsgenossenschaft or advice centres (see 6. Employers' liability insurance association/Berufsgenossenschaft and advice centres)!

Statutory accident insurance covers: 

Continued payment of wages

• Your employer will continue to pay your full salary for the first 6 weeks (continued payment of wages).
• After 6 weeks, in the event of an accident at work, the statutory accident insurance (Berufsgenossenschaft) will pay injury benefit (approx. 80 % of your net salary).

Cost coverage 

• From the fourth day after the accident, you are also entitled to:
• Medical treatment
• Medication
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Medical aids

Services

• In the event of permanent damage, benefits such as a pension may be paid.

If you have any problems or questions, you can contact the following advice centres/organisations:

• The professional associations (Berufsgenossenschaften) are the statutory accident insurance providers responsible for processing and settling accidents at work.
• For permanently employed (!!!) riders in Berlin, various professional associations may be relevant depending on the company – including BGHW, BG Verkehr and BGN.
• Your employer is obliged to provide you with information about which professional association you are insured with.
• Self-employed drivers are not automatically covered by accident insurance (!!!), but can take out voluntary insurance with a professional association.

• If your company has a works council/Betriebsrat, report the accident to them as well. They can also help you here.

• The trade union responsible for you can also help. Either the Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) or the United Services Union (Ver.di) is responsible for you as a rider.  

• The Advisory Centre for Migration and Good Work /Berliner Zentrum für Migration und Gute Arbeit (BEMA) provides advice on labour and social law for immigrants and mobile workers. 

• In serious cases, it may be advisable to consult a solicitor specialising in employment law. You can also consult your works council, trade union or the BEMA for advice.