Car accidents are highly destructive events for all involved. They cause frustration, injury and financial stress to those who have been hurt. Company vehicle accidents have the same devastating effects, but there are complications to consider. So what happens if you get hit by a company vehicle?
What is a company vehicle?
A company vehicle is any truck, car, van or other vehicle owned and operated by a business for business purposes. These vehicles are usually driven by employees, agents or delivery drivers who use them to perform various tasks on behalf of the business.
Seek medical attention immediately
While finding the responsible party is important, health and well-being are more important. You should have a doctor examine you as soon as possible. Once the incident is reported, an Emergency Response team will arrive at the scene to treat the injured. You should let them review you for two main reasons.
First, you may have an injury that you may not be aware of due to the rush of adrenaline your body may be experiencing after the accident. These injuries can get worse the longer they go untreated.
Second, you may need the medical records for your insurance claim and provide evidence when your attorney files the case. Remember, the more evidence you have, the better chance you have of getting the compensation you deserve.
A tertiary reason is so your doctor can determine if you need to return for a follow-up. Some injuries such as whiplash and muscle injuries can manifest a day or two after the injury. The doctor will need to examine you later to make sure you are not suffering from any lingering effects of the accident.
Determining who is responsible
Determining who is responsible for a company vehicle accident is not always easy. The typical scenario is an incident that occurs when an agent, employee, or other person working on behalf of a company causes the incident. In this case, the business will be responsible for its actions.
However, in some cases, the person behind the wheel may not be liable due to other issues, such as defective parts of the vehicle. Because these complications can be difficult to untangle, especially in cases where you need to file a lawsuit for damages and need to find the responsible party, you may need the help of an attorney.
Fortunately, there are law firms with teams dedicated to understanding traffic law and bringing lawsuits on behalf of victims so that they can be adequately compensated. If you have been involved in an accident involving a vehicle, including a company vehicle, read this to find the help you need to sue for compensation.
Collect evidence
If you can, you should collect as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident. Reliable evidence includes photos and videos of the accident, driver and company information, and witness statements.
You can also contact the police to gather additional evidence.
No one wants to be involved in an accident. If you are unfortunately involved in one, you should first make sure you are okay and then start the process of filing a claim for compensation. The driver will likely be charged, but you can still file a civil lawsuit for the devastation caused by the accident.