Are Corporations Liable When Their Truck Drivers Commit A Hit-And-Run Accident?

If an employee is driving a company car and negligently causes a traffic accident during the scope of his employment, both the company and the driver are liable for the accident. Whether a driver was acting within the scope of employment when the accident occurred may be a contentious issue and dependent on the specific facts of the case.

For example, a 54-year-old pedestrian died in a hit-and-run accident involving a San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) truck on January 6, according to NBC San Diego. The victim was walking down the 200-block of Jamacha Road when he was struck by the SDG&E truck. Moments later, another motor vehicle drove over the victim. “This is a terrible tragedy and SDG&E is cooperating with authorities,” said a spokeswoman for the utility company. “We’ve suspended the employee pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Thankfully, the second motorist waited and called the police. Local authorities alerted the public to watch out for a white Ford pickup truck with utility equipment and a decal on the front door. El Cajon police located the suspect on Friday, January 10. The pedestrian’s family is suing SDG&E. “If I were to hit anybody and flee the scene and the police knew that, I would be arrested,” said the family’s attorney. “I just wonder myself why is it [that] SDG&E’s employee is getting treated differently from what it seems most of us would be treated?”

I Need A San Diego Attorney That Handles Hit-And-Run Cases

If a truck driver has injured or killed a loved one in a hit-and-run accident, we can help. Our San Diego car accident attorneys will work hand in hand with accident reconstruction experts and witnesses to locate the driver and corporation responsible for your suffering. We have the resources and expertise to recover the compensation that you need to overcome the physical, emotional and financial hardships incurred by the accident. For more information or the opportunity to speak with one of our San Diego car accident lawyers, contact our firm at (858) 538-4800.

[Did You Know: According to the NHTSA, on average one in five pedestrian deaths are the result of hit-and-run accidents, nationally.]

Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego car accident attorney

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/SDGE-Employee-Involved-in-El-Cajon-Fatal-Hit-and-Run-239663191.html, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/SDGE-Fatal-Accident-240970971.html, http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810968.PDF