Fatal Accidents Involving Company Cars or Trucks - Who Pays?

by Richard N. Shapiro

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Rick is a Virginia injury attorney who handles car accidents, medical malpractice, FELA, wrongful death, etc.

On Friday, June 4, 2010, a fatal car accident occurred on State Route 91 between Glade Spring, Virginia (VA) and Saltville, VA. This resulted in State Route 91 being closed for hours while the accident was investigated.

The accident involved three cars and a total of five people. The driver of a van belonging to a Southwest Virginia home nursing service was killed. Another driver was taken to a hospital. The cause of the wreck was still under investigation. You can read more about this fatal accident here.

Sometimes, cars or trucks involved in a serious accident are registered to or belong to a company. It may be difficult to determine who is responsible to pay for the injuries or deaths that occur as a result of an accident.

In insurance law, there is a common phrase stating: "the insurance follows the car," which means that the owner of the car is one party who will usually have liability insurance for an accident caused by the driver of that vehicle. However, in situations involving company cars, there may be multiple insurance sources- all policies must be obtained and reviewed by an experienced injury lawyer.

If a company requires a driver to carry his own car insurance, but the driver's car insurance company refuses to pay (which can happen), it may be hard to get the company to accept responsibility and make compensation so whether or not insurance is available is always a baseline question that must be answered. If the driver was supposedly "off duty" and the insurance company adjuster denies the company has any liability, the situation can wind up in court. This is when a good personal injury attorney can help. They can determine if a lawsuit needs to be filed for claims and damages, and can help those who were involved, or their loved ones, during the difficult days ahead.

Here are some good informational links you can use to help answer some important questions about your potential car accident injury claim:

Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accidents and the Personal Injury Claims Process

Guide on What To Do If You Get Hurt in a Car Wreck in Virginia

Medical Payment and What the Insurance Company Must Offer

    

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia (VA) injury law firm whose attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA if you've been seriously hurt by the carelessness of another person or company.

Virginia injury lawyers Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Rick, Jim and Randy have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law (Jim since '06, Rick since '10, and Randy since '12). This is a prestigious recognition that only 5 percent of lawyers receive.

We were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our Virginia Beach accident injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. 

We also offer free special reports and edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard blog sites as a public information service.

Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk, VA. 

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to the high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you shortly.