Ever notice how many company logos you pass on the road every day? Delivery trucks, moving vans, contractor pickups — they’re everywhere. But here’s something many drivers don’t consider until it’s too late: what happens if one of those vehicles causes a wreck?
When a crash involves a business-owned vehicle, you’re not just dealing with the driver; you’re also potentially dealing with their employer and the company’s insurance. And this could bring on a whole new set of coverages and challenges.
Why Commercial Insurance Matters If You’ve Been Hit
If you’re injured because a business’s vehicle hit you, the driver’s employer may be on the hook for your losses. Whether they’re small and local or nationally known, companies often carry business insurance policies with a number of inclusions:
- Bodily injury coverage for people hurt in an accident they cause
- Property damage coverage for your car or belongings
- Medical expenses to help with hospital bills
- Legal fees if you file a liability claim against the company
These protections usually come from a commercial auto policy or sometimes a commercial general liability insurance policy. This is good news for you: it often means there’s more coverage available than you’d get from an ordinary driver’s personal auto policy.
Types of Beneficial Coverage
Here’s where you, the injured driver or passenger, could recover damages from:
- Commercial Auto Insurance: The primary policy for accidents involving company-owned vehicles.
- General Liability Insurance Coverage: Can step in for certain third-party claims, including bodily harm or property damage.
- Business Owners Policy (BOP): Sometimes combines property insurance and business liability insurance, which may offer additional coverage.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This typically protects the company’s employees, but it can also confirm whether the driver was “on the job” at the time, strengthening your claim against the business.
What Can Limit or Complicate Your Claim?
Not every situation is straightforward. For example, business operations matter: Was the driver on a delivery or just taking the truck home? If they were off the clock, the company’s policy may fight coverage. Also, exclusions in a business insurance policy could carve out certain damages, such as damages to personal property inside your car. Insurance companies might even argue over whether the right coverage applies — commercial auto, general liability insurance coverage, or even something else.
For these reasons and many others, pursuing a claim against a business’s insurance often requires legal guidance. Between insurance costs, legal costs and unexpected costs, it’s easy for victims to get left with less than they deserve if they go it alone.
FAQs We Hear All the Time
Q: Will the company’s insurance cover all my medical bills?
A: It depends on the limits of the commercial general liability insurance or commercial auto policy. Many businesses carry higher limits than do individuals, which can help cover more of your medical bills.
Q: Can I make a claim against the company, not just the driver?
A: Yes. If the driver was working for the company at the time of the accident, you may be able to pursue a liability claim directly against the business.
Q: What if it’s just a small business with one truck?
A: Even small business owners often carry small business insurance like a general liability insurance policy or BOP. An attorney can help identify every available policy.
Why This Matters for Crash Victims
If you’ve been hit by a company-owned vehicle, you might have access to stronger insurance protections than in a typical accident. This could mean coverage for your medical expenses, property damage, legal fees and personal injury damages.
For business owners, it’s a reminder of why carrying the right type of business insurance matters. For crash victims, there may be a path to recovering the full value of losses — but you’ll likely need an experienced advocate to navigate the maze of insurance products, types of coverage and types of claims.
If a company vehicle causes your accident, you shouldn’t just rely on the driver’s personal insurance. A commercial policy could make all the difference in your recovery. Contact us and we’ll help you navigate things.
