Accidents can be emotionally taxing, and adding the complexity of company-owned vehicles only amplifies the headache. At Feller & Wendt, our car accident attorneys’ primary focus is on protecting you as an individual and ensuring that the proper parties are held responsible for any payments and liability.
What You Should Do If You Get Into a Company Car Accident
Much like accidents in your own vehicle, be sure to keep an eye out for any dangerous situations and follow some simple steps to do your due diligence to stay protected.
Make Sure that Everyone Is Okay and Out of Harm’s Way
The first thing you should do when in a company car accident is to ensure that everyone involved is safe and in good health. Check with each person and ask if they’re hurt or need medical attention. If so, contact first responders immediately. Safety should be your first priority in an accident.
Ensure that You Have Documentation of Everything On-Site
After ensuring the safety of everyone involved, it is important to document everything that happened in the vehicle accident properly. Be sure to take photographs of the company vehicle as well as any other vehicles involved.
In addition, be sure to write down names, phone numbers, and emails of anyone involved in the accident, as well as witnesses to the accident. Also, ensure you get copies of driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and police reports if a police officer arrives on the scene.
Who Is the Responsible Party for Payment in a Company Car Accident?
When it comes to liability, it depends on the circumstances of the accident. However, it often boils down to the type of vehicle you were operating at the time and why you were operating that vehicle.
Shared Work Vehicles You Were Operating
If you were operating a work vehicle as part of your day-to-day job and were in an accident while performing a work-related task, the responsible party follows the respondeat superior rules. These rules state that in a working relationship between an employer and an employee, if the employee was acting within their expected scope of work, the employer is responsible for the accident.
If, however, the employee was acting outside of their scope of work, such as running personal errands using the company vehicle, the respondeat superior rule would not apply, and the individual would be liable for the accident and any resulting payments.
Complimentary Company Cars that You Were Operating
If the company vehicle in the accident is a complimentary personal car, the rules are much simpler. The responsible party is the owner of the vehicle, which in this case would be the company. It is similar to lending your personal car to a friend, who then gets in an accident. Although your friend was driving, it is the owner of the vehicle, or you, in this example, that is responsible for payments from the accident.
As with any accident, making sure that everyone is safe should be your first priority. Then document everything you can to ensure that fault is assigned to the appropriate party and liability is correctly assigned.
Secure the Help of an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer at Feller & Wendt Today
If personal injuries occur, your number one focus should be on your recovery. At Feller & Wendt, our primary focus is on ensuring that you are compensated fairly for your injuries. Our no-recovery, no-fee policy shows our deep dedication to our clients. Call (801) 499-5060 or visit us online to receive a free consultation on your case.
