Let us say you are in an automobile accident with someone operating a corporate vehicle. In that situation, who is responsible for the accident’s losses or injuries if the employee was at fault?
In most cases, if an employee’s carelessness or negligence causes an accident that results in damages, the employer is held responsible. There are, however, exceptions. You may be eligible to compensation if you were injured as a result of the negligence of an employee driver. Keep reading to learn more and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Is the employer liable in certain situations?
In most cases, the person who causes the accident is the one who is to blame. Third parties (such as employers) might be held responsible for vehicle accidents under California’s “vicarious responsibility” rules. That means that if an employee is working and behaving within the scope of their responsibilities at the time of an accident, the employer is most likely to share blame.
California law is clear that an employee acts within the scope of their work provided they fulfill the following requirements at the time of the incident:
- The collision occurred within the employee’s position’s allowed “time and space” restrictions
- At the time of the accident, the employee was partially or completely engaged in work-related activities that benefited the employer
- As part of their work, the individual was authorized and employed to operate a car
Employees who are not adequately taught, supervised, or vetted throughout the recruiting process may also be directly at blame for collisions. If a firm hires a delivery driver with a history of reckless driving charges, for example, the employer may be held responsible for any accidents caused by that individual.
When is an employee liable for a workplace automobile accident?
When an employee drives a business automobile and causes an accident, the employer is not always responsible for the damages. The following are some examples of scenarios in which an employee might be held responsible for automobile accident damages:
- At the time of the accident, the employee was engaged in non-work-related activities (i.e., picking up personal dry cleaning). If the employee conducted both work-related and personal chores at the same time, an exception may apply.
- The employee is on their way to or from work (unless they are required to make work-related stops on the way).
Today is the best time to contact a personal injury attorney
Recovering damages for on-the-job employee accidents may be costly, perplexing, and difficult, especially if you are working alone. Hiring a skilled automobile accident lawyer might be the difference between a claim being dismissed and obtaining full compensation. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for a free legal consultation.
