Most major motor vehicle collisions are obviously the fault of one driver. People lose control of their vehicles due to excessive speed or fail to monitor their surroundings. Typically, those affected by car crashes ask the driver at fault for compensation via insurance coverage.
If insurance isn’t available or the coverage is insufficient, then the matter may require a personal injury lawsuit. Particularly in scenarios where crashes cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities, the people affected by the wreck may benefit from looking at alternative sources of compensation.
Sometimes, a business may be financially liable for a car crash. What scenarios might allow for a compensation claim against a company rather than an individual after a wreck?
A driver on the clock
Employers may require that employees drive to make deliveries to customers, provide in-office service calls for clients or obtain supplies for the business. Employers are typically liable for the negligence of their workers while they are on the clock. If the driver who caused the crash was performing job functions, then their employer may be liable for the harm they cause.
Unusual drunk driving situations
For the most part, state law absolves businesses of liability if adults drink too much alcohol at a bar or restaurant. Wisconsin’s dram shop law is more limited than those enacted in many other states. However, if there is proof that the business served an underage motorist who then caused a crash, the business could be liable for the harm that the minor customer caused. The law also potentially allows for claims against licensed establishments when they misrepresent the contents of a drink to consumers and serve them alcohol without their awareness.
Issues with the vehicle
Sometimes, vehicles have defective parts or design issues that increase the risk of a wreck. In such cases, manufacturers could be liable. Other times, repair professionals may have made mistakes when servicing or maintaining a vehicle. When it is clear that repair errors or the failure of specific parts in a vehicle caused a crash, service professionals, repair businesses or manufacturers could be partially liable for the wreck.
Carefully reviewing the cause of a car crash and various secondary circumstances with a skilled legal team can help people understand their rights. Holding the appropriate party accountable can lead to financial compensation after a motor vehicle collision causes property damage or serious injuries.
