Is an Employer Liable for an Employee's Car Accident?

Were you the victim of a car accident caused by an employee who was driving a company car? If so, you may have been seriously injured and your property may have been damaged or destroyed.

When you are involved in an accident with a driver in his own car, you know exactly who to pursue for damages and accident-related expenses. When your accident involves a driver in a company car, you may be uncertain about who to pursue.

In Georgia, an employer can be held responsible for uncovered financial damages. You may need to speak to a car accident lawyer in your area to seek the financial recovery to which you are entitled.

File a Police Report as Soon as Possible After a Car Accident

Filing a police report in the aftermath of a car accident can benefit your case later. When you are involved in a car accident with an employee who is driving a company car in Georgia, you are required to file a police report under certain circumstances.

• If anyone in either vehicle suffered an injury in the accident.
• If anyone suffered more than $500 in property damage.

If either of these conditions are met as the result of a car accident with a company car, the law requires you to call local police as soon as possible to file a police report.

Gather Additional Information After an Accident With a Company Car

In addition to filing and obtaining a copy of a police report, you can bolster and support your case by gathering as much of the following information as possible:

• Name and contact information of the at-fault driver.
• Name and contact information of the driver’s employer.
• Name and contact information of the driver’s insurer.
• The name and contact information of the employer’s insurer.
• Names and contact information of any witnesses.
• Photos of your car from a variety of angles.
• Photos of the at-fault driver’s car, especially points of impact.
• Photos that show the accident scene and road and weather conditions.

Compiling all the information you need can take a significant amount of time. While you recover, the time you have to gather this important information can start ticking away. A lawyer can help you quickly find and compile the information and documents you need to strengthen your case.

Holding the Employer Responsible

The state of Georgia exercises a legal principle known as respondeat superior. Under this principle, you can hold an employer legally and financially responsible for the actions of his employee while he is working. In certain cases, you may be able to hold the employer liable for an employee's car accident.

For example, if you are involved in a car accident with an employee who is on his way to or from work, you cannot sue his employer. If you are involved in an accident with a person who is delivering pizzas or packages in a company car, you may be able to hold his employer responsible.

Under respondeat superior, liability can be assigned to the driver and the company he works for. Your lawyer can help you understand and determine who to pursue for your physical injuries and the damage or total destruction of your vehicle.

Common Types of Company Cars

With the rise in at-home shopping and food delivery, company vehicles can take many different forms, including delivery and service vehicles, corporate fleets, and taxis. If the at-fault driver in your car accident was driving a company car, you may have the basis for a claim against his employer.

Some common types of company cars include:

• Pizza delivery cars
• Product delivery vehicles
• Service technician vans

If you were injured in a car accident caused by a driver in one of these, or any other, company car, you may be able to file a claim against the at-fault driver and his employer. Speak to a lawyer near you to discuss the accident you were involved in and your options for financial compensation, including holding the employer liable for an employee's car accident.

Hold the Right People Responsible for Your Injuries

If you were involved in a car accident with an employee who was driving a company car, you probably want to know if you can hold his employer liable for an employee's car accident.