Car Accident Lawsuits: How The Other Driver's Vehicle Can Impact Your Case

If you're involved in a car accident that was the other driver's fault, chances are that you'll look to seek compensation for the damages that they caused. However, you may not be aware that the kind of vehicle they're driving can impact your case. Here is what you need to know about three different vehicle ownership situations.

Rental Cars

A car accident gets a little bit complicated if it involves someone driving a rental vehicle. That is because you could either go after the car's driver, or the company that rented the car to them. In most situations, you're seeking compensation from the driver of the vehicle, and the insurance provider that they decided to use for the rental car.

However, in some situations, the rental car company may be liable for the accident. This is when the rental car company rented a vehicle that was not safe to drive, and it directly led to the accident. For instance, this can happen if the car has brakes that are not working properly. If their car was working fine, the rental car company cannot be held liable.

Company Cars

Liability involving an accident with a company vehicle will depend on what the driver was doing at the time. If the car's driver was operating the vehicle as part of their job, then the company is responsible for your compensation. Keep in mind that driving does not need to be a primary component of the employee's job for the company to be held liable. Being given a task as simple as picking up lunch for their boss could be considered working on company time.

Things are different when the employee is not on the clock and performing their job while driving the vehicle. This can happen if they borrow the vehicle for personal use.

Government Cars

You may not be aware that government cars have immunity when involved in an accident while the driver was performing a government job. This includes police officers driving a police car, or a fire truck on their way to put out a fire.

However, there are exceptions to this rule that will be difficult to navigate on your own. If you're injured by a government vehicle or have your property damaged, you are not completely out of luck. Be sure to work with a car accident lawyer that can fight on your behalf to receive the compensation you deserve in this situation.