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What Happens if You Have a Car Crash in a Company Vehicle?

When you are working as an employee and driving a company car, it can be confusing to know what steps to take when you get into a car accident. If you were not at fault, the other driver’s insurer would be the one responsible for paying for the property damages and any resultant injuries. 

However, if you are at fault, it can be confusing to know who pays for damages. 

You can consult the help of car accident attorneys to guide you in the right direction but avoid these 5 mistakes after any car accident. 

Read on to learn more about the basic steps required for someone who got into a car accident while driving a company vehicle. 

Who Pays For the Car Crash Damages?

After a car crash, it is the person at fault who is accountable for car accident damages. 

Chicago is an at-fault state, meaning the person responsible for the accident is the one who must compensate the affected individuals. 

When you are at fault for a car crash but your company owns the car, the rules are a bit different. Your company’s car insurance company is held liable for the car crash damages if you are at fault for the other driver’s injuries and damaged property. 

However, this is only applicable if you are driving during your work hours. If you are not on the clock, then you would have to use your personal car insurance to cover you. 

How Do I Know Who Is At Fault?

According to the lawyers at Agruss Law Firm, to not be held liable for a car crash, you would have to show that the other driver caused the accident. This can be for the following reasons:

Distracted Driving

When a driver is texting or talking on the phone and gets into an accident, they will have to take the blame for the car crash. 

Texting is considered illegal in most states while talking on the phone is illegal in Georgia. Phone conversations require hands-free technology, such as a car speaker or Bluetooth technology to prevent a driver from breaking the law. 

Bad Weather 

Bad weather conditions greatly diminish a driver’s ability to see the road. Heavy rain, thick fog, sleet, or snow make it difficult for drivers to navigate. When drivers can’t see each other, they cause accidents by misjudging the location of vehicles around them. 

Speeding

While illegal, speeding is very common among most drivers and results in high-impact accidents. This often is because a driver didn’t slow down in time or hit the other driver at full speed. 

Not Yielding

Unfortunately, some drivers don’t stop at stop signs or yield to other drivers even if they have the right of way. In worst-case scenarios, they run red lights. This can result in devastating and life-threatening car accidents. 

Substance Abuse

If an attorney can prove that a driver was intoxicated by alcohol or illicit drugs, then they most likely caused the accident. This requires the intervention of the police.

Conclusion

If you got into a car crash in a company vehicle, it might be time to speak to a personal injury attorney. They can guide you on what steps you should take to gather evidence in your case. 

If you were at fault, your company will be liable for the damages. However, if you are not at fault, you will need to build evidence to prove that your company shouldn’t be paying for the other party’s damages.