If you’ve ever worked for a company that lets you use a company car, you know the rules. You can use the company car for work-related business and errands. You may even be allowed to take the company car home at night or on the weekends. But you’re not supposed to use the company car for personal use.
Some people may be confused about what constitutes personal use. Using the car to get back and forth to work is usually permissible. However, using the company car to go food shopping is now allowed. Taking the truck your company owns to get it inspected over the weekend is allowed. Using a company truck to help your friend move is not allowed. You get the idea.
So, if someone is driving their company car and crashes into your vehicle, you have to be worried. Will their company’s car insurance pay your claim? Or, will the company refuse to cover your damages because the other driver had no permission to use the car? If this happens to you, it’s important that you call a Lake Charles auto accident lawyer right away. They’ll deal with the company on your behalf and do everything they can to get you the compensation for the damages caused by a company car.
Most of the Time, Your Claim Will Be Paid
The good news is that, for the most part, companies would rather pay your claim and then deal with their employee separately. If the claim is small, it’s cheaper and easier for them to pay your claim than fight it. However, if the claim is large or involves multiple people, there’s a good chance the insurance company will deny it.
This is why you hire an experienced car accident lawyer in Lake Charles. They will deal with the insurance company on your behalf. They’ll also talk to the other driver’s employer to find out what happened. The good news is that, if your car accident claim is denied, you can still pursue the driver personally.
If your Lake Charles car accident lawyer has to file a claim against the driver, it’ll be harder to recover damages. The good news is that, if the other driver has personal auto insurance. they may still cover the claim. If not, you’ll have no choice but to file a lawsuit. This suit will be filed against both the other driver and the company they work for.
It Will Be Up to the Employer to Prove the Defendant Didn’t Have Permission to Use the Car at the Time of the Crash
As far as your Lake Charles car accident lawyer is concerned, the defendant’s employer is responsible for your injuries. Just because their insurance company denied the claim doesn’t mean the company isn’t responsible. You’ll still have the chance to prove that the other driver had permission to use the company car.
Thankfully, you don’t have to prove that they did have permission to use the car. If the defendant was driving the car, it’ll be presumed that they were allowed to drive it. Let their employer prove that they didn’t have permission. This isn’t something you have to do. However, it is important that your Lake Charles accident lawyer is prepared for this argument.
This may be a starting point to negotiate a settlement of your case. Knowing the company would have a much higher insurance policy limit, it’s in your best interest to settle with them. You don’t want to win a case against the other driver personally only to find out they have no assets or no insurance. Your car accident lawyer in Lake Charles will negotiate with the defendant’s lawyer and the lawyer for their employer. Their goal is to get your case settled as quickly as possible. But they also want to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney for Help Recovering Damages Caused by a Company Car
You would think that if someone hit you with a company car, they’d pay your claim right away. And that is what happens in most cases. However, there are times when the company who owns the car isn’t sure they are liable. They may want to challenge the claim and see if you back off. This is why it might be a good idea to call a skilled accident lawyer in Lake Charles. They can look to see if you do indeed have a valid claim.
