Many people drive as part of their work. Field salespersons, lorry and delivery drivers, couriers; I’m talking to you! So what happens if you have a road accident whilst you are driving a works vehicle? Do you sue your employer? Is it different to making a ‘general’ road accident claim?
Well if you are not at fault, then it should work in the same way as any other claim – you pursue compensation from the insurers of the driver at fault. Say you are hit in the back, or someone pulls out from a side road; if you are not at fault, you won’t be making a claim against your employers insurance – it’s against the other drivers insurance!
So don’t worry about how it may affect your employment. Just as your boss for the insurance information (or registration number if you don’t have that) for the other vehicle and we can get a claim started right away. You probably won’t have the hassle of vehicle damages, as it’s your employer’s vehicle so they or their insurers can sort it. We then make a separate private claim against the other insurers for your injuries and losses.
So there is nothing to worry about!
However, what if your accident was caused because the vehicle you were driving was defective? Well, a works vehicle is classed as work equipment, so the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 apply. These important regulations state that your employer is liable if you are injured because of defective work equipment, such as a vehicle.
As a matter of fact, we can, in some situations, apply strict liability against your employer for work equipment claims. What this means is that if you are injured because the vehicle was defective, even if there was no way your employer could have prevented the accident or the equipment breaking, they may still have to pay you out.
Your employer should have appropriate insurance for you to claim from, and you are protected by law when making a claim so you really have nothing to fear.
Call 0800 634 7575 to get your road accident claim started today.