Most of the time, people involved in car crashes can hold another at-fault driver accountable. When someone causes a collision by doing something negligent or breaking Arizona traffic laws, they typically have legal and financial responsibility for the wreck. People can request compensation for property damage expenses, medical costs and even lost wages related to their injuries.
However, sometimes the person who caused a crash does not have the right insurance or enough personal resources to compensate the other people affected by the wreck. Those involved in the crash may then want to explore alternative options for compensation. Sometimes, it is possible to hold a business financially accountable for a collision. The following are the three most common scenarios in which a business might be liable for a car crash.
The driver at fault was at work
Usually, individual drivers have direct responsibility for their own choices. Liability can be a bit more complex in cases involving someone on the job. Many employers require that workers drive occasionally to perform their jobs. Some professions have people out on the road for a good portion of the day. Liability laws often make employers responsible when someone who is on the clock causes a crash.
The driver had too much to drink at a business
Occasionally, a business could be responsible for something that a patron does. Arizona liquor laws restrict when and how licensed bars and restaurants dispense alcohol to the public. In cases involving a clear violation of liquor laws, the dram shop law in Arizona may apply. If workers at a bar or restaurant served alcohol to someone under the age of 21 or someone who was clearly already under the influence, the business may be liable if that patron goes on to cause a crash.
The crash was the result of a vehicle defect
Sometimes, vehicle manufacturers or the companies that provide specific components for vehicles are liable for major collisions. If they don’t engage in property quality assurance practices or check designs for safety issues, manufacturers can create dangerous situations. Defective components ranging from airbags that deploy without reason to engine hoods that unlatch suddenly could be the cause of a major collision that totals a vehicle or puts someone in the hospital. Manufacturers may have liability for the financial consequences of collisions when the crash is the direct result of a design defect with the vehicle or a defective vehicle component.
Taking legal action against a business can potentially lead to more thorough reimbursement for those financially affected by a collision. Each situation is unique, so seeking legal guidance before committing to an approach is generally wise.