What can I do if I was in an accident in a company vehicle during work and had to pay fines and was penalized?
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What can I do if I was in an accident in a company vehicle during work and had to pay fines and was penalized?
The company vehicle had faulty brakes among other problems all of the company’s work trucks had problems. We made the employer aware but he was dismissive at best. As a result, I feel the accident in company vehicle was not my fault. My auto insurance company dropped me, my quotes went up, other companies won’t even cover me. We had a 500-1000 lb. lawnmower in the bed of a small pickup truck because, that’s how the employer has the truck set up. I believe the brakes to say the least were faulty. I believe the employer should had paid the citation; it should not have been held on/against my driving record/ insurance also I
continued working with the company for maybe 2 or 3 days after, then the employer laid-me-off. I believe he is guilty of unsafe and unfair business practice. How can I be compensated for my losses?
Asked on July 14, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
IF you can prove that the accident was due to the faulty brakes and not due to how you were driving (e.g. not because you were driving too fast and/or maintaining too little following distance for the weather and road conditions *and* the condition of your truck [that is, if you know the brakes are weak, you should drive more slowly or cautiously]), the you could potentially recover compensation in court. You'd have to sue the employer and prove his fault, in not maintaining the brakes after being aware of them, and also prove your lack of fault; if you could do that, you could recover money for your losses, etc.
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