Vicarious liability is when a person or entity is held legally responsible for the actions of another person or entity. For example, this doctrine holds employers accountable for the actions of their employees. It specifically applies to road traffic accidents, where an injured party can sue the driver’s employer who caused the accident. Likewise, under the principle of vicarious liability, a parent can be held liable if the child intentionally or unlawfully drives the car, resulting in serious injuries.
Legal requirements are often outlined by state law, but it’s essential to understand that vicarious liability is not always automatically applied to every situation where an employee has been injured while performing their job duties. Therefore, you should first talk to a personal injury lawyer in Port Hope that can explain how these laws apply specifically to your case and advise you on what steps need to be taken next.
Vicarious liability can also be imposed upon government agencies, such as police departments or fire departments, who are responsible for providing services to citizens but fail to do so properly and cause harm. In these cases, filing suit under federal law may be necessary instead of state law.
Why Can Employers Be Held Liable?
Employers are vicariously liable if they knew or should have known that their employee was unfit to drive due to fatigue or intoxication or if they knew or should have known that the employee was driving during an extended break.
In addition, employers can be liable for their employee’s actions if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent their employees from causing harm while on the job. For example, suppose your employer tells you not to use your cell phone while driving but fails to enforce this rule by removing your phone from your vehicle during work hours. In that case, he may be held liable for any resulting injuries you cause due to using it in this way.
How Can A Lawyer Help?
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident because of the negligence of another, there’s a chance that the at-fault party’s insurance company will make an offer to settle your claim. However, before you take any settlement offer from the insurance company, it’s in your best interest to consult with an injury attorney. Insurance companies have experts on their payroll who negotiate on their client’s behalf and get them the lowest possible pay out. Insurers don’t want to pay out money. They want to pay as little money as possible and are very good at getting what they want. Because of this, you must consult with lawyer before accepting any settlement offer.
