On average, there are 16,800 police-reported car accidents every day in the United States. That’s about 700 crashes per hour, resulting in approximately 110 fatalities and 6,200 injuries nationwide each day. Translation: practically all of us have been in situations where we have either caused auto accidents or been the victim of one or several.

What you don’t hear much about is auto accidents involving a company vehicle. That’s not to suggest they don’t happen, such as a landscaping vehicle smashing into your Kia Soul. But they aren’t discussed enough.

As a result, many of us wouldn’t know what to do if we were hit by a company vehicle.

You vs. a Company Vehicle: Start by Keeping the Process the Same as You Normally Would

First things first, a company vehicle is typically defined as a vehicle used by a specific company for business purposes. This is true regardless of whether the driver is also the owner of the business or simply an employee, and it includes everything from a delivery van or utility truck to a landscaping vehicle, a construction truck, or a seemingly run-of-the-mill sedan that has been wrapped or bears a company logo on both doors.

If you are hit by one, you should still proceed as you would under normal conditions.

Calling the police
Seeking medical attention
Capturing photos and videos of the damage and injuries
Gathering witness information
Exchanging contact information with the other driver

Following these steps and gathering basic documentation is important during all auto accidents. In fact, it is a mistake to assume anything otherwise, especially if you want to be compensated for the damages and any possible injuries. But because we’re dealing with a company vehicle, there’s another important issue to address:

Fault May Not Be Just Between You and the Other Driver

When a company vehicle is involved, there may be more than one party involved. For instance, there’s the driver, the company that owns the vehicle, and the company’s insurance carrier. As a result, determining who is legally responsible for the accident and any resulting injuries may be more complicated than in a typical car accident.

Other questions that may arise in these situations can include:

Was the driver on duty when the accident happened?
Did the company properly train the driver and encourage safe driving practices?
Was the vehicle properly maintained?

Since all of these factors and more must be considered, it would be a mistake to assume only the driver can be held liable. In many cases, the employer must also be held responsible. In extreme cases where the car didn’t perform as it should have, perhaps even the car manufacturer or part manufacturer could be held liable.

Of course, every case is different, and liability depends on the specific facts involved.

Evidence Matters More Than Ever

In addition to the steps above, you should also consider gathering details on the company name displayed on the vehicle, witness contact information, vehicle identification numbers, police reports, and any photos or videos. The more evidence you have, and the more you can remember (such as license plate information, make and model of the vehicle, and description of the driver), the stronger your claim can be.

If any of these issues escalate and warrant additional guidance from a personal injury and auto accident attorney, we can help. An experienced firm like Keys Law Offices, PC can help you track down the compensation you deserve.

Call Keys Law Offices Today!

When you have a legal question, you must have an attorney who has both legal and practical experience to answer it. At Keys Law Offices, our legal and life experiences uniquely qualify us to answer your questions. We represent people in a variety of legal disputes in the areas of Auto Accidents, Criminal Law, and Personal Injury. We also understand the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in these cases and know how to investigate and litigate to ensure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.

Our staff is always available. Call us today!