When motor vehicle collisions occur, those involved often have expensive losses to address. They may have physical injuries that require care. They may need to tow their vehicles to repair shops or find replacement vehicles because the crash renders a vehicle unsafe to drive.
Typically, one of the drivers involved in the crash is the party responsible for causing the wreck and therefore liable for the costs it generates. However, sometimes third-party liability could influence the rights of injured people after car crashes. Businesses are sometimes partially liable for motor vehicle collisions.
What scenarios may allow those hurt in a crash to hold a business accountable for their injuries and losses?
When a driver is on the clock
Many professions require driving. Some people spend the majority of their workday on the road because they deliver groceries, transport people or run errands for their employers. Others may occasionally need to drive to cover work-related tasks. Appliance repair specialists may drive from one client’s home to the next throughout the day. While driving isn’t their main job function, they still drive while on the clock.
Businesses typically have vicarious liability in scenarios where their workers cause injuries or property damage losses to others through negligence or misconduct. Regardless of whether the employee was in their own vehicle or a company fleet vehicle, their employer may be partially liable for the losses of the others affected by the crash.
When maintenance or defective products are to blame
Most people rely on professionals to repair and maintain their vehicles. They go to a mechanic to rotate their tires and change their oil. They rely on these professionals to competently address issues with their vehicles. In scenarios where mechanics and similar service professionals return vehicles to their customers in unsafe conditions, the issues with the vehicles could cause crashes.
It is also possible for vehicle components to fail while a driver is out on the road. Defective vehicle parts and design issues can be the underlying cause of a motor vehicle collision. In those scenarios, vehicle manufacturers or parts suppliers may be to blame for a wreck.
There are an assortment of other scenarios in which people may have the option of pursuing compensation from a business in addition to or instead of a driver who was at fault for a wreck. Discussing the circumstances of a recent car crash with a skilled legal team can help people explore their options and hold the right party accountable through insurance claims or personal injury litigation.
