Accidents are always troublesome because they often result in damage to property and injuries as well. The only solace is that you can claim compensation if a mishap occurs due to the negligence of the other driver. A peculiar situation in this context is when you have an accident with a business vehicle. Who will be liable- the driver or the business that owns the automobile? Obviously, commercial vehicle accidents become confusing for the victims because the basis of personal injury claims is the liability for the accident. Let us explain how things can be different for such mishaps.
Understanding the liability
When it comes to establishing the liability of such accidents, the rules are pretty straightforward. If an employee is driving the car while doing the job, the company is responsible, not only because it owns the car but also because it is liable for the actions of the employees. On the other hand, the business may not be responsible if the employee is off the clock and not doing something in the course of his duty. In another situation, someone other than an employee may be driving the car but with the permission of the business. In this case, too, the liability may come on the business.
An employee driving his personal vehicle
Commercial car accidents have yet another implication- when an employee uses his personal vehicle for performing the business duty. The company may try escaping from the liability but experienced auto accident lawyers can leverage the legal norms to prove otherwise. The law states that a victim can claim compensation from the employer in such a case, regardless of the fact that the car was personally owned by the employee.
A vehicle driven by an independent contractor
There is a probability that the responsible driver may be operating the vehicle as an independent contractor for the business. This is a common situation with 18-wheeler accidents, where the driver owns the vehicle, but maybe driving as an independent contractor for a carrier company. In these circumstances, the company provides coverage to the driver and you can claim under this coverage.
Handling commercial vehicle accidents
When you get injured in an accident, the first thing you should do is find out whether the guilty driver was on the job. If it is a commercial vehicle, find details about the owner of the car and the business as well. A clear idea about all these factors provides you all the information that your accident lawyer would need to establish the liability and file a compensation claim later. Although the police will cover all these facts in their report, it is always wise to go the extra mile to gather key evidence that might strengthen your claim in the future.
Commercial vehicle mishaps can get a little complicated, particularly when it comes to deciding the liability for the crash. Still, you must not get confused because it can affect the outcome of your compensation claim. Having a seasoned attorney handling your case ensures that you get a fair settlement, no matter who the responsible party is.
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