At first glance, it's easy to get the impression that working as a valet isn't dangerous. You drive a customer's vehicle to a special lot and then return the vehicle later on when the customer needs to retrieve it. You may complete this sequence dozens of times a day in a safe manner, but everything could change in an instant and you could get seriously injured for a number of reasons. If you've been hurt while working as a car valet, speak to workers compensation attorneys who could handle your case. Injuries may be possible as a result of the following incidents.

Car Accident

One chronic injury risk when you work as a valet is that you could be in a car accident. There are several reasons for an accident to occur, but the bottom line is that if they're in one, you could be hurt while on the job. For example, you could pull out of the hotel at which you work and another vehicle could T-bone the vehicle that you're driving. Or, you could be backing into a parking space in a parking garage, and have a fast-moving vehicle come around the corner and smash into you.

Assault

As a valet, you're also at risk of being hurt in an assault — often at the hands of someone who is attempting to steal a car that you're parking or retrieving. For example, if you work for a downtown hotel that has a parking lot a few blocks away, criminals may be aware that luxury vehicles are often located in this lot. You could be parking a vehicle when one or more suspects approach you and assault you so that they can steal the vehicle.

Seasonal Issues

Working as a valet during the winter presents a number of challenges. For starters, the amount of time that you spend outdoors can put you at risk of frostbite. This can especially be a concern — and one for which your employer is negligent — if there isn't a proper booth or another warm area in which you can wait comfortably between jobs. Another wintertime risk is falling on an icy area while you're parking or retrieving a customer's car. For example, if you use an underground parking garage that has a slippery ramp, it may be possible to fall and seriously hurt yourself.