When an employee causes a car accident, employers might be surprised to learn that their business could be on the hook for damages. The workplace doesn’t end at the office door, and neither does employer responsibility. From delivery drivers to sales representatives, when employees operate vehicles as part of their job duties, their employers can face significant financial liability for accidents that occur on the clock.
Vicarious Liability and Employer Responsibility
Under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability, employers can be held responsible for their employees’ negligent actions while performing work duties. This concept means that even though the employer was not directly involved in the accident, they can still face legal consequences for their employee’s mistakes.
To establish employer liability under this doctrine, you must prove that the employee was negligent and that they were acting within the scope of their employment when the accident occurred. An employee operates within this scope when they are performing authorized job responsibilities.
For example, a delivery driver transporting goods to customers clearly acts within their job scope. However, if that same driver stops for personal errands unrelated to work and causes an accident, the employer likely wouldn’t be liable.
The key question is whether the employee’s actions served the employer’s business interests at the time of the accident. Courts consider factors like whether the employee was on company time, using a company vehicle, performing work-related tasks, or following employer instructions when the collision occurred.
Corporate Negligence and Kansas City Car Accidents
Beyond vicarious liability, employers can be negligent for an employee’s car accident if their own actions or failures contributed to the crash. In these situations, you can work with a personal injury attorney in Kansas City to file a lawsuit against the company directly.
Examples of corporate negligence include:
- Failing to conduct proper background checks on employees who will be driving, especially those with poor driving records
- Requiring employees to operate unfamiliar vehicles without proper training
- Allowing unsafe drivers to operate company vehicles despite a known history of accidents or reckless behavior
- Requiring excessive driving hours that violate industry standards and contribute to driver fatigue
- Allowing employees to operate faulty, poorly maintained, or overweight vehicles
What to Do After an Accident Caused by an Employee
If you have been injured in an accident involving an employee driver, taking the right steps can strengthen your potential case against both the driver and their employer. Make sure to do the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police
- Document the accident scene with photos and videos
- Collect contact information from any witnesses in the area
- Obtain the driver’s employment information and vehicle ownership details
- Keep detailed records of all medical treatments and expenses
- Contact a Kansas City car accident lawyer for assistance
Pursuing a claim against a company can be a complex process. These cases often involve multiple liable parties, extensive documentation requirements, and sophisticated legal defenses that companies use to minimize their responsibility. In these situations, an attorney can guide you through the process and prove the employer’s liability. Get in touch with a Kansas City car accident lawyer today and begin building your case for compensation.