Liability: If you’ve ever been the at-fault party in a vehicle accident, then you know there are several consequences that come with that liability. The cost of repairing both vehicles can be enormous, and you’ll have to worry about your insurance rates skyrocketing. But what if someone was injured and one of the parties was working at the time of the crash?
In Florida, a company, corporation, or other entity, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or partnership, is considered a “person” under the law, and as a “person,” they are legal entities that can be held liable for damages, just like a living human being. The legal doctrine is referred to as vicarious liability. Basically, an employer or company may potentially be held liable for damages caused by an innocent accident victim if their employee was at fault for an accident. Assuming that the employee driver was acting within the scope of his or her employment (i.e. “on the job”) at the time of the accident, the employer company can be held responsible for the employee’s negligence. And did you know that it can even occur in cases where the employee was operating his or her own motor vehicle at the time of the accident?
In many cases, the employer provides a vehicle to the employee, with which to conduct company business. For example, a delivery driver who drives a company truck to deliver packages as part of his job duties with the company. If that driver gets into an accident in the company vehicle, the people who are injured can often recover compensation from the driver’s employer.
If the at fault driver was traveling to or from work at the time the motor vehicle collision occurred, in many cases, the employer company is not responsible for the accident victim’s personal injuries and damages. However, the employer can be held liable for damages if the employee was traveling to a destination associated with work and was acting within the scope of his or her employment at the time of the accident. Even running errands for an employer can lead to employer liability, if the driver is involved in an accident.
Florida law requires a driver to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner. When someone drives carelessly, recklessly, negligently, or is distracted, and it results in an accident with property damage or injury, the driver’s insurer can be held responsible.
Vehicle collisions are often traumatic and devastating experiences and can result in serious long-term personal injury. If you are involved in an accident that was caused by the driver of a company vehicle, you may be able to pursue monetary compensation for all of your injuries and damages arising from the accident. The office of Brijbag Law can meet with you to evaluate your claim and can negotiate with the insurance company adjuster for the at-fault party or parties. Attorney Brian Brijbag is an aggressive litigator. He is not afraid to litigate your case through the Florida court system – or take it to trial, if necessary.
Proudly Serving:
Homosassa
Shady Hills
Bayonet Point
Zephyrhills