Making Sure the Law Is On Your Side

A car accident on company time can be a little bit more complicated than a personal car accident. Here's how you can decide who's going to pay for the accident and who to contact for legal representation.

Whose Fault Was the Crash?

First of all, was the accident your fault or another driver's? If the accident was someone else's fault, the insurance claim will go through their insurer. You may initially have some of your injuries or property damage covered by your company's insurance plan. Then, once the other party accepts fault, your company's auto insurance will speak with the other driver's insurance representative about repaying the damage.

If it was your fault, then you can narrow down the responsible party to either yourself or your employer. Read the next section to figure out who is responsible.

Were You Acting Related to the Company?

Your personal liability depends on whether you were doing work-related tasks or not. If driving is part of your job, then your company will need to take responsibility for the accident. Even if your primary function is not driving, but you were completing a task that was mandatory to your job, your employer is responsible. Hire workers compensation attorneys, like Wolter, Beeman, Lynch & Londrigan LLP, to help you navigate the claims process; you will be able to get compensated for medical bills and time off work, as long as you have seen a doctor and have documented injuries that prevent you from working.  

This rule doesn't include things like commuting, however. And if you were using a company car for personal errands to activities, you're probably out of luck and will need to pay out of pocket.

How Bad Are Your Damages?

Finally, you must decide how significant your damages are. A worker's compensation policy works well for moderate accidents. But if your injuries exceed what the worker's compensation plan can afford for you, then you might be facing a case for a personal injury lawyer's help instead. That is especially the case if your employer had some negligence in the issue. If the vehicles were not well maintained, or you were asked to fill the vehicle with business property so that it was likely to topple or obstruct your view, then your employer could be personally at fault in a personal injury case. Just keep in mind that you cannot pursue both a worker's comp claim and a personal injury claim.