Whether you’re delivering packages, heading to a job site, or running errands for your employer, accidents can happen, even when you’re behind the wheel of a company car. If you’ve been hurt in this type of crash, the legal path to compensation isn’t always straightforward. That’s why speaking with a company vehicle accident attorney in your area is critical.
At Brooks Law Group, our personal injury lawyers have helped countless workers navigate the complex world of company vehicle accidents. Do you have questions about your own crash in Lakeland and how our legal services could apply to you? Let’s break down what you need to know about your rights, potential claims, and why having the right lawyers in Lakeland can make all the difference.
What is a company vehicle accident?
A company vehicle accident is any motor vehicle crash involving a vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise provided by an employer. These accidents could occur:
- While delivering goods (flowers, food, packages, or a wide variety of other items)
- Driving to or from client meetings
- Running company errands
- Traveling between job sites
- Traveling on business
- While providing a service (plumbers, HVAC technicians, etc.)
It’s important to note that even if you were partially at fault or driving a company car outside of business hours, you could still have legal options. Determining liability in these cases often requires a thorough investigation and extensive analysis of evidence, including the company’s vehicle use policy. This is something a skilled company vehicle accident attorney can assist with immediately.
Would your car accident fall under one of the above scenarios? Keep reading.
Why do you need an experienced attorney?
The aftermath of a company car crash often involves more than just insurance paperwork. These accidents could involve multiple parties, including your employer, other drivers, and even third-party contractors. This can complicate your case and create serious roadblocks to recovering fair compensation.
So, how does a lawyer help during this intense and confusing period of time?
A company vehicle accident attorney advocates for you during the claims process.
The first step in getting compensation after your crash is filing a claim. A company vehicle accident attorney can:
Determine Liability
Was your employer negligent in maintaining the company vehicle? Was another vehicle at fault? Experienced attorneys have the skills to determine and prove liability in an accident.
Explore (and File) Workers’ Compensation Claims
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment and lost wages due to your injuries. Your lawyer will analyze your unique situation, your employer at the time of the accident, and available workers’ compensation options.
Navigate Employer Pushback
Some employers may try to deny responsibility for your accident or claim you were outside of the scope of your job. Your attorney will advocate for you and fight for your rights.
Pursue Personal Injury Damages
If a third party was responsible for your accident, you may have personal injury claim options on top of your workers’ compensation benefits. Experienced company vehicle accident attorneys know how to seek out all available claims after your collision.
Let’s explore this in more depth…
Workers’ compensation vs. personal injury: can you claim both?
Florida law allows injured employees to file a workers’ compensation claim after a company vehicle accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Workers’ comp can help with:
- medical bills related to the accident
A company vehicle accident could result in both workers’ compensation claims and personal injury claims.
- lost income
- disability benefits
However, workers’ compensation does not typically provide for pain and suffering damages. These damages include:
- recurring pain
- mental trauma and suffering
- future medical expenses
- loss of quality of life
- punitive damages (in extreme cases)
If a third party (like another driver) caused your accident, you could have the option to file a lawsuit with a personal injury lawyer alongside your claim for workers’ compensation benefits. This opens the door to financial assistance with costs related to ongoing pain and suffering. This is where having seasoned lawyers in Lakeland becomes critical. Filing both types of claims while avoiding duplication and conflicts takes legal finesse.
That’s where Brooks Law Group steps in! We look ahead toward potential complications and proactively mitigate them to protect your best interests.
What are common complications in company vehicle accident claims?
Even when the fault seems clear in an accident, complications can (and often do) arise. These might include:
- Scope of employment disputes. This is when your employer argues that you weren’t “on the clock” at the time of the crash, especially if you were:
- Running errands
- Using an unauthorized detour
- Commuting to or from work
- Independent contractor status. Many companies classify workers as independent contractors to avoid liability. If you drive for a rideshare service, delivery service (especially those via an app like Doordash, Uber Eats, etc.), or a subcontractor, this may complicate your ability to file a workers’ compensation claim. You may, however, still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit or challenge your classification with the help of the experienced Lakeland lawyers at Brooks Law Group.
- Employer negligence. In some cases, your employer may be directly liable for your accident and injuries. Our lawyers in Lakeland dig into maintenance records, driving logs, accident reports, training records, and more to uncover signs of employer negligence. Examples of employer negligence can include:
- The company (your employer) failed to maintain the vehicle
- You were pressured to drive while fatigued or ill
- The vehicle had known safety defects that weren’t addressed
Why choose Brooks Law Group after your company vehicle accident?
At Brooks Law Group, our team of lawyers understands the physical, financial, and emotional toll of a work-related car accident. We don’t just handle cases, we support real people through life’s toughest moments. When you choose us to handle your case, you can expect:
- Free consultations
- No fees unless we win because we work via contingency fees
- Personalized attention
- Aggressive legal representation that gets results
We’ve recovered millions for injured Floridians, including those hurt while driving company vehicles. We’re ready to help you too. Look to Brooks! If you have questions, our FAQ page is a great place to start. Contact us today to book your free case review!
