Your employer may be liable for some of the damages if you cause an automobile accident while driving your own personal vehicle during work hours. Depending on the situation’s specifics, you and your employer may be partially responsible for an accident.
An Indianapolis car accident attorney with Vaughan & Vaughan can help you understand your legal options following an accident, whether you were at fault or not, and whether you should pursue a claim for damages.
Work Accident in a Personal Car
Regardless of minor or major injury and damage caused by company vehicles, filing a personal injury claim after an auto accident is never simple. This added stress can overwhelm the victims and their families who have already experienced a severe injury.
To make matters worse, many of these drivers may not always be aware of where their legal responsibilities lie. It’s best to seek legal counsel, or you could further hurt your chances of receiving compensation due to negligence or mishandling.
A personal injury lawyer can protect you from any missteps that may compromise your case and guide you through the injury claims process from start to finish.
When an Employer Can Be Liable for an Accident You Caused
When an employee gets into a car accident while on the job or driving for their employer, the principles of vicarious liability come into effect. This means an employer is liable for any damage caused by their employee on company time.
This includes damages caused to people and property. For this to occur, there must be certain conditions and circumstances that allowed for the accident to occur in the first place.
The most common grounds for a company to assume vicarious liability include the following situations:
- An employee is on the clock when the accident occurs
- When you are driving in connection with their work
- When you were asked to drive while performing a work-related task by your boss or employer
- When you took part in some activity that would benefit your employer’s financial interests
While it may not always be easy to determine if a company is at fault in an accident involving their employee, it is essential to do so if any damages will be owed. It is best to seek help from an auto accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid paying for an accident for which you should not be held financially responsible.
What If I Was Commuting to Work When I Got in an Accident?
Employers may be held responsible if the employee acted within the scope of their employment at the time of the collision. This could include driving for work purposes such as carrying materials to a client or making deliveries. However, employers are usually not liable if the accident occurred during the commuting time or lunch break.
This is commonly known as the “going and coming” rule, which releases employers from liability when on-the-clock activities aren’t involved in the crash. Exceptions exist, though, such as using a company car during personal trips or if employees were working remotely while commuting.
It is highly recommended that anyone affected by a work-related car accident speak to an experienced attorney to discuss their unique situation in order to determine who may be legally responsible for it.
After a crash with a company vehicle, swift action is essential. Following a few basic steps can help you protect your rights and ensure the best possible results.
Get Medical Attention
The first thing to do is call for help. In addition to getting medical attention if needed, it’s important to call 911 so that police can document the scene of the crash. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get checked out to identify any late-onset injuries that may not yet be apparent. If you haven’t seen a doctor, do so now.
Gather Information
If you are physically able, taking pictures and documenting all available information – such as license plate numbers and contact information for other drivers or witnesses – can be very helpful later on when determining liability in a case.
Tell Your Employer
Finally, contact your employer about the accident as soon as possible. When dealing with an official investigation or a potential lawsuit related to company property, your employer may have a protocol already in place that needs to be followed.
Knowing this information ahead of time keeps things running smoothly and allows all involved parties to stay on top of the situation together. After you take care of these initial steps, a car accident lawyer may need to be consulted for further guidance on how best to handle any aftermath of the accident.
How Can a Lawyer Help After a Work-Related Car Accident in My Personal Vehicle?
A car accident attorney can help those injured in automobile accidents by providing legal representation and knowledge of the law that can benefit your claim and protect your interests.
We can help with evidence collection to build a case for financial recovery. We also take the time to fully account for all damages suffered as a result of your crash and estimate their value so that you can receive proper compensation for your losses.
Furthermore, we provide guidance through the entire process to ensure that you are ultimately adequately compensated for all damages incurred due to negligence leading up to and following an automobile accident.
Contact Us For a Free Consultation About a Work-Related Car Accident in Your Personal Car
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to consider hiring an experienced car accident lawyer. Car accident cases can become complex, and the cost of losses associated with car accidents can be significant.
Having a qualified attorney on your side can make a big difference in the outcome of the case. A skilled Indianapolis car accident lawyer will have the necessary knowledge, resources, and experience to build an effective case and fight for your rights.
Insurance companies may try to take advantage of claimants who don’t have legal representation, so having an experienced lawyer on your side can provide you with knowing that you have someone looking out for your best interests throughout the process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
