Many people have to drive from place to place in a company vehicle. Whether salespersons, repairmen, delivery drivers, or taxi service, a company vehicle is used quite often. When accidents happen in a company car, truck, or van, questions generally arise regarding liability. It can be confusing predicting the circumstances of a motor vehicle accident in company property. Would it fall under workers’ compensation? Or would the employee be responsible for their own damages, as well as the vehicular damages? These are all appropriate questions that we will discuss in this blog.

Continue reading to learn about car accidents that happen in company-owned vehicles and what to do if it happens to you on or off the clock.

Steps for Company Vehicular Accidents

Always be prepared for an accident. This means keeping pen, paper, insurance information, vehicle registration, and even a digital or disposable camera in the vehicle at all times. This way, if an accident occurs, you are fully-equipped to document all the needed information and evidence at the scene.

In the case that an accident does take place, the first thing to do is check yourself and the other vehicle occupants for injuries. If you or anyone else are hurt, call 911 immediately; and then call the police. Even if you are just a little sore, contact EMT services or go to the hospital and have yourself checked out. Head, neck, and back injuries from car accidents can lay dormant for several days before showing signs and symptoms. In the case that this happens, you want to have a medical report on file for evidence of injuries and legal purposes.

After emergency services are called and if you are not too injured, use the tools you have on-hand to self-document the scene of the crime. Take pictures of all pertinent damages and obstructions. Write down license plate numbers, names, insurance information, your observations of the driver, what the driver says, and more. When talking to the other drivers involved, do not talk too much or say anything that implies remorse, guilt, or fault. Do not admit to anything and don’t say too much because it can be used against you in legal proceedings and questioning later on. Simply exchange necessary information and leave.

Employer Responsibilities

After leaving the scene of the accident, contact your employer to notify them of the incident. Provide all pertinent paperwork, documents, information, and evidence regarding the circumstances of the wreck. Most likely, they have a legal department and company procedures for company vehicular accidents and workers’ compensation. If the company car is still operational, they will ask you to return it so they can either repair it or salvage it. Otherwise, your company will contact a wrecker service to haul the vehicle away to their desired location.

If you are injured as a result of a car accident that happens in a company vehicle on the clock, you can collect workers’ compensation, as well as, pursue a third party lawsuit against the negligent driver that cause your injuries. Contact a personal injury car accident lawyer for details about filing this type of lawsuit. You may be entitled to additional compensation for your damages.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a third party lawsuit against a negligent driver in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney Daniel Craven is a seasoned car accident injury lawyer with decades of litigation and trial experience. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 for details about our personal injury law firm in Indianapolis, IN today.