An accident involving a company car, delivery van or other work vehicle can involve more insurance than a typical car crash. This can matter when serious injuries lead to high medical bills, lost income and other losses.
Here are the key points to know about employer responsibility, business insurance and policy limits.
Employer liability may bring the business into the claim
The company may also face responsibility when a driver causes a crash during a work-related trip. Florida law may hold an employer responsible for harm caused by an employee who acts within the scope of employment. In simple terms, that means the driver must have been carrying out duties connected to the job when the collision happened.
For example, if a technician hits your vehicle while traveling to a customer’s home for an assigned job, the company’s role in that trip could matter when determining who may be responsible.
Commercial policies may provide higher coverage
A business may carry commercial auto insurance with higher limits than a personal auto policy. This type of coverage can apply to vehicles used for deliveries, trips to job sites or other work duties. The policy and the facts of the crash determine what coverage applies.
This difference can matter after a serious injury. If you need long-term treatment or cannot work, your losses may quickly grow beyond what a typical personal policy covers.
Higher limits can affect available compensation
Higher policy limits can give you access to more insurance money when your losses are substantial. They do not, however, determine how much your injury claim is worth. The value of your claim depends on your actual losses, such as:
- Medical treatment and related costs
- Lost wages or income
- Pain and other harm caused by the injury
For example, a lower limit could leave less insurance available if your losses exceed that amount. A higher limit may provide more coverage for those losses.
Understand your next steps for compensation after a crash
A work vehicle can bring additional insurance coverage into the picture, giving you more options to explore after a serious crash.
If you suffered significant injuries, reviewing information about the vehicle, driver and employer with an attorney can help identify who may have legal responsibility and what policies may apply. Understanding all available coverage can help you pursue the compensation your injuries and losses warrant rather than assuming the driver’s personal policy limits your options.
