What Happens If the Driver Who Hit Me Was Working at the Time?
Passenger car involved in a rear-end collision with a commercial work van, illustrating a crash involving a driver who may have been working at the time. Crowley Law PC helps victims pursue compensation after accidents involving company vehicles in Los Angeles, California.
Most people assume that after a car accident, they only have to deal with the driver who caused the crash. But what if that driver was working when the accident happened?
Whether it was a delivery driver, salesperson, contractor, utility worker, or employee driving between job sites, the situation may be very different than a typical car accident claim.
In many cases, the employer may also be responsible for your injuries.
Here's what you need to know if the driver who hit you was on the clock at the time of the accident.
Why Does It Matter If the Driver Was Working?
When employees cause accidents while performing job-related duties, California law may allow injured victims to pursue compensation from the employer.
This legal principle is known as vicarious liability.
In simple terms, employers can be held responsible for the actions of employees who cause accidents while working.
This can be important because employers often have larger insurance policies than individual drivers.
Common Work-Related Driving Accidents
Many drivers spend a significant portion of their workday on the road.
Examples include:
Delivery drivers
Sales representatives
Construction workers
Utility company employees
Service technicians
Real estate agents
Corporate employees traveling between meetings
If the driver was performing work-related duties when the crash occurred, their employer may share liability.
How Do You Know If the Driver Was Working?
Sometimes it's obvious.
You may notice:
A company vehicle
Business logos on the vehicle
Uniforms or company identification
Delivery packages or equipment inside the vehicle
Other times, it takes an investigation to determine whether the driver was working.
For example, a driver may be using their personal vehicle while making deliveries or traveling to a job site.
An experienced attorney can obtain records that help determine the driver's employment status at the time of the crash.
What If the Company Claims the Driver Was an Independent Contractor?
This is one of the most common defenses businesses use.
Some companies attempt to avoid liability by arguing the driver was an independent contractor rather than an employee.
However, the answer isn't always that simple.
California law looks at several factors when determining whether a company can be held responsible, including:
The level of control the company had over the driver
Work schedules and assignments
Vehicle requirements
Company policies and supervision
An attorney can investigate these issues and identify every available source of compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If you've been injured in a work-related vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical expenses
Future medical treatment
Lost wages
Reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage
The goal is to make sure you're not left paying for someone else's negligence.
Why You Should Contact a Lawyer Quickly
When businesses become involved, cases often become more complicated.
Companies may have:
Corporate insurance carriers
Risk management teams
Defense attorneys
Investigators working immediately after the accident
The sooner you have legal representation, the better your chances of preserving evidence and protecting your claim.
Injured by Someone Driving for Work?
If you've been injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, or nearby communities and believe the driver who hit you was working at the time, Crowley Law PC can help.
We'll investigate the facts, identify all liable parties, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We’ll help you get the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve.
Here to make it right, when you've been wronged.
And Justice for All! ⚖️
Crowley Law PC
📞 (213) 325-5248
