Hit by a Company Vehicle? The Business Behind the Driver May Be Responsible.
Being hit by a delivery van, service truck, or marked company car is a different situation than a typical two-driver accident. A business and its insurance policy are likely involved, and that changes who you're dealing with, what records matter, and how quickly things can move against you. As a commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving Jefferson Parish and the surrounding parishes, I work with injured clients to identify every responsible party from the start — not just the driver who hit them.
How Employer Liability Works in Louisiana
Louisiana law generally holds an employer responsible for an employee's negligent driving when that employee was acting within the course and scope of their job at the time of the crash. This legal principle — respondeat superior — means the company, not just the driver, can be named in your claim. That typically brings a business insurance policy into the picture, which often means higher coverage limits than a personal auto policy, but also a more organized defense.
Understanding whether the employer is liable depends on the specific facts of the trip. Was the driver making a delivery? Running a company errand? On the clock? These details matter, and I gather the documentation needed to establish them clearly.
The Types of Company Vehicle Cases I Handle
Not every commercial vehicle accident involves an 18-wheeler. Many involve smaller vehicles that are just as capable of causing serious harm. As a company vehicle accident attorney serving Metairie and Jefferson Parish, I handle work vehicle accident claims involving:
- Delivery vans and courier vehicles, including those operated by large logistics and e-commerce companies
- Service vehicles driven by technicians, contractors, or repair crews
- Marked company cars and fleet vehicles operated by employees on company business
- Unmarked personal vehicles used for work errands at the time of the crash
- Government or municipal vehicles where sovereign immunity rules may apply
Each of these scenarios raises the same core question: was the driver acting on behalf of an employer when the accident happened? The answer shapes the entire claim.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to Recover
When a company or its insurer is involved in your claim, the available coverage is often greater than in a standard personal-injury accident. Depending on the facts of your case, compensation in a work vehicle accident claim in Louisiana may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, ongoing treatment, and future medical needs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Property damage to your vehicle and any personal belongings
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- In cases involving reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available
Employer liability car accident claims can involve multiple insurance policies and multiple responsible parties. Getting an accurate picture of what your case is worth requires looking at all of them — not just the driver's coverage.
What Our Clients Say
Questions About Company Vehicle Accident Claims in Louisiana
Is a company liable if their employee causes an accident in Louisiana?
Generally, yes — if the employee was acting within the course and scope of their employment at the time of the crash. Louisiana follows the respondeat superior doctrine, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of employees performing job-related duties. Whether that standard applies depends on the specific facts of the trip, which is one of the first things I examine in any commercial vehicle case.Generally, yes — if the employee was acting within the course and scope of their employment at the time of the crash. Louisiana follows the respondeat superior doctrine, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of employees performing job-related duties. Whether that standard applies depends on the specific facts of the trip, which is one of the first things I examine in any commercial vehicle case.What if the driver was using their own car for work when the accident happened?
A personal vehicle doesn't automatically remove the employer from responsibility. If the driver was running a work errand, making a delivery, or otherwise acting on behalf of their employer at the time, the company may still be liable. The key is what the driver was doing — not what vehicle they were driving.A personal vehicle doesn't automatically remove the employer from responsibility. If the driver was running a work errand, making a delivery, or otherwise acting on behalf of their employer at the time, the company may still be liable. The key is what the driver was doing — not what vehicle they were driving.How is a company vehicle accident different from a regular car accident claim?
The main difference is who you're dealing with. A business's insurance carrier typically has experienced adjusters and legal resources focused on limiting what they pay out. Evidence like employment records, dispatch logs, vehicle maintenance records, and company policies becomes relevant. It's a more complex claim from the start, which is why having an attorney involved early matters.The main difference is who you're dealing with. A business's insurance carrier typically has experienced adjusters and legal resources focused on limiting what they pay out. Evidence like employment records, dispatch logs, vehicle maintenance records, and company policies becomes relevant. It's a more complex claim from the start, which is why having an attorney involved early matters.Where can I find a commercial vehicle accident lawyer near Metairie?
Macaluso Law has offices in Metairie and Harahan, both in Jefferson Parish. I represent injured clients throughout Southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans, Kenner, and the surrounding parishes. You can schedule a consultation by phone, text, or through the contact form on this site.Macaluso Law has offices in Metairie and Harahan, both in Jefferson Parish. I represent injured clients throughout Southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans, Kenner, and the surrounding parishes. You can schedule a consultation by phone, text, or through the contact form on this site.How long do I have to file a company vehicle accident claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana's general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is one year from the date of the accident. That deadline applies to most commercial vehicle cases as well, though certain circumstances — such as claims involving a government entity — may require action even sooner. Waiting to consult an attorney puts that window at risk.Louisiana's general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is one year from the date of the accident. That deadline applies to most commercial vehicle cases as well, though certain circumstances — such as claims involving a government entity — may require action even sooner. Waiting to consult an attorney puts that window at risk.
You Deserve an Attorney Who Is Fully on Your Side
When a business's insurance team is on the other side of your claim, having direct access to your own attorney isn't a luxury — it's a necessity. At Macaluso Law, you work with me from the first conversation through the resolution of your case. I bring big-firm litigation experience to every commercial vehicle accident claim I handle, including experience on the defense side that gives me real insight into how company insurers approach these cases. If you were injured by a delivery van, service vehicle, or any company-owned or work-related vehicle in Southeast Louisiana, I'm ready to help you understand what your claim is worth and what comes next.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please try again later.