What Happens When You Get in an Accident in a Company Vehicle in Georgia?
At Atlanta Metro Law, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of people injured in car accidents, including crashes involving company vehicles. Our team combines deep knowledge of Georgia law with a focus on delivering results for our clients. We work directly with you to explain your options, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
An accident in a company vehicle can raise urgent questions about liability, insurance coverage, and how to pay for medical bills and lost wages. In Georgia, the rules for a company car accident depend on whether you were performing work-related duties or using the vehicle for personal reasons. Knowing what to do after the crash and understanding your rights can help you protect your health, your income, and your legal position.
In this blog, you will learn what happens when you get in an accident in a company vehicle in Georgia, the steps to take after the crash, how workers’ compensation and insurance coverage apply, and why working with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you secure fair compensation.
Key Questions at a Glance
These are the main questions people ask after a company vehicle accident in Georgia. The answers explain how liability, insurance coverage, and compensation work in these situations.
Who Pays Medical Bills and Lost Wages
If you are injured in an accident in a company vehicle while performing work related duties, workers compensation benefits may cover your medical bills and part of your lost wages. This applies when the accident occurred during regular business hours or while completing assigned work tasks. If the accident happened for personal reasons, you may need to use your own auto insurance or health insurance.
Is the Employer Liable or Are You Personally Liable
An employer is often liable under Georgia’s vicarious liability rules when you are driving a company car for work purposes. If you were using the company vehicle for personal errands or outside of work hours, you could be personally liable. In these cases, the employer’s insurance policy may not provide coverage.
Should You Use Your Own Insurance or the Employer’s Insurance
If the accident happened while you were acting within the scope of your job, the employer’s commercial auto insurance generally applies first. Your own insurance coverage may still be useful if the employer’s insurance company denies part of the claim or if the other driver was uninsured.
How Fault Is Determined in a Company Car Accident
Fault in a company car accident is determined the same way as any Georgia car accident. Police reports, statements from witnesses, and accident reconstruction are used to identify the at fault driver. Georgia’s comparative negligence laws may reduce compensation if you are partly responsible for the crash.
Scene Steps After the Crash
Taking the right steps after a company vehicle accident in Georgia helps protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to claim fair compensation.
Call Emergency Services
Call 911 immediately after the accident. Request medical help if anyone is injured. Ask for police to come to the scene so a police report can be created. This report is critical for determining fault and insurance coverage.
Notify Your Employer
Inform your employer about the accident as soon as possible. Provide the basic facts including time, location, and any visible property damage. Early notice allows the employer’s insurance company to begin its review.
Document the Scene
Take clear photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect contact information for witnesses and the other driver. Note the license plate number and insurance provider for every vehicle involved.
Seek Medical Care
Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation promptly. Keep all records and receipts for medical expenses. These documents support claims for workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury damages.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident lawyer can review the facts, identify available insurance coverage, and protect you if liability is disputed. Speaking to a lawyer early can help you avoid mistakes that weaken your claim.
Is the Crash Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia may apply if you are injured in an accident involving a company vehicle while performing work-related duties. Coverage depends on when and why the accident occurred.
When Coverage Applies
Under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act (O.C.G.A. § 34‑9‑1 et seq.), benefits apply when the accident happened during work hours and while completing assigned tasks. Examples include making deliveries, attending client meetings, or running errands for your employer. In these cases, workers’ compensation can pay medical bills and part of your lost wages without needing to prove fault.
When Coverage Does Not Apply
Workers’ compensation does not cover accidents that occur while commuting to or from work, running personal errands, or using a company car for personal reasons. These situations are outside the scope of employment, so you may need to rely on your own auto insurance or health insurance.
Reporting Deadlines
You must report a work-related car accident injury to your employer within 30 days. Filing a claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation requires submitting Form WC‑14 within one year of the accident. Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to benefits.
Recoverable Damages & Compensation Options
After a company vehicle accident in Georgia, you may be able to recover different types of compensation depending on whether the claim is through workers’ compensation or a personal injury case.
Workers Compensation Benefits
If the accident occurred while performing work-related duties, workers’ compensation may cover medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of your lost wages. These benefits apply regardless of fault but do not include payment for pain and suffering.
Personal Injury Damages
If another driver was at fault or if you have a separate civil claim, you may seek additional damages. These can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of future earnings, and property damage. Personal injury claims can be pursued alongside workers’ compensation in certain situations, such as when a third party caused the crash.
Property Damage Compensation
Whether through the employer’s commercial auto insurance or your own insurance policy, you can seek payment for vehicle repairs or replacement. If the company vehicle loses value after repairs, you may also claim diminished value under Georgia law.
Combining Claims for Maximum Recovery
In some cases, both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims may be available. A car accident lawyer can review the facts to determine how to recover fair compensation from all applicable insurance coverage sources.
Protect Your Rights After a Company Vehicle Accident!
If you have been injured in an accident in a company vehicle, the decisions you make now can affect your health, your income, and your future. Our team at Atlanta Metro Law has the experience to handle company car accident claims, fight for the coverage you deserve, and pursue maximum compensation.
Contact us at 864-894-2045 for a free consultation!
