Who Is Liable for Car Accidents While Driving for Work?
A car accident can leave victims permanently injured, unable to work, and financially strained. A car accident attorney can help recover the maximum compensation for injuries and property damage by helping clients with their lawsuit or insurance claim.
When a car accident happens while on the job, determining the responsibilities of the employer to the employee can be complicated. The attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau help those who have been involved in a car accident while driving for work in Daytona Beach, FL and the surrounding areas reach a fair settlement for their injuries.
Car Accidents While Driving for Work
Many jobs require employees to drive as part of the duties of their job. Food delivery drivers, mail carriers, bus drivers, and car rental agencies are just a few of these jobs. People who drive as part of their duties may become involved in a car accident while on the job. When a car accident happens while driving for work, it is important for those involved to understand who may be held liable.
Who's Liable for Damages?
Generally in a car accident, the driver who is at fault is liable for damages related to the accident. Determining liability in car accidents that occur while an employee is driving for work, whether in their own car or a company car, is often more complicated. Depending on the situation, anyone of the following people may be held liable:
- The employer
- The employee
- A third party driver
Employer Liability
When involved in a car accident while working in Daytona Beach, it may be possible to hold the employer liable for damages if the employee was driving as part of their job responsibilities, driving while working, or the accident occurred while the employee was performing duties within the terms of their employment. Even though the employee may be at fault for an accident, the employer can be liable if the accident occurred while the employee was performing their job duties.
Employee Liability
An employee may be found liable for a car accident that occurred while they were working, even if driving a company car, if at the time they were driving they were completing a personal errand unrelated to their job duties.
Third Party Driver Liability
Even when employers are responsible drivers, third party negligence can make them victims of a car accident. Accordingly, the at-fault third party may be held liable and not the employee or the employer.
One of the most common causes of accidents from negligence is distracted driving. According to the Transportation Planning Association 2017 Crash Analysis Report, distracted driving accounted for nearly 1,600 car accidents in Volusia and Flagler counties, making it a serious risk to those who drive while working.
Can You Collect Workers' Compensation?
It may be possible to collect workers' compensation when injured in a car accident while working if the accident occurred while the employee was performing their job duties. Employees may also seek damages for their injuries if their accident was caused by a negligent third party.
Schedule a Consultation
If you live in or around Daytona Beach and have been involved in a car accident while driving for work, you are encouraged to schedule a consultation with the attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau by calling (386) 258-7313. Our attorneys can review the details of your accident to help determine the best course of action for your case.