When Can Employers Be Held Responsible for Company Vehicle Accidents in Georgia?

By Seth Bader, Founder and CEO of Bader Law Personal Injury Lawyers

If driving is part of your job, whether you deliver packages, travel between appointments, or operate a company vehicle around Columbus and across Georgia, an accident while performing work duties can raise an important question: Could your employer also be responsible?

Under Georgia law, employers can sometimes be held responsible for crashes employees cause while acting within the scope of their employment. What you were doing at the time of the crash matters.

A delivery driver making scheduled stops, a technician traveling between appointments or an employee running a work-related errand may be acting on behalf of the employer. The analysis can change if the employee takes a significant personal detour unrelated to work.

This distinction also affects insurance. Depending on the vehicle and circumstances, an employer's or commercial insurance policy may apply to claims resulting from the accident.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation-related incidents accounted for 34 percent of workplace deaths in Georgia, making liability and insurance important considerations for employees who spend much of their workday on the road.

Certain commercial motor carriers are required to maintain liability coverage of $750,000 to $1 million or more, depending on the vehicle and cargo. Rideshare drivers face different rules because Georgia law does not classify them as employees, although specific insurance requirements apply while providing rides.

If you are involved in an accident while working, document where you were headed, what work task you were completing, and any communications related to the trip. These details can help determine which insurance policies apply and whether your employer may share responsibility.

Anyone injured in a work-related vehicle accident is encouraged not to navigate the process alone.

Bader Law Personal Injury Lawyers offers free, confidential consultations by calling (218) 309-7948 to discuss what happened, what your options are, and what fair compensation might look like.