In most car accidents, you will file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy or your own policy (such as uninsured motorist or collision coverage). However, some situations exist in which you would file an accident claim against a third party or their insurer, such as if an employer or product manufacturer is responsible for the accident.

Here are some of the most common car accident cases dealing with third-party liability issues.

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The Employer Is Legally Responsible

Employers are responsible for the negligence of their employees that occurs within the scope and course of employment. Therefore, if an employee gets in an accident while working, the employer could be responsible for paying for the damages. This applies whether the employee was driving a car with the employer’s labeling on it, a car the company provided, or their own personal vehicle.

If the party responsible for the accident was a government agency, the city, county, or state could be responsible for paying for your damages.

Parents Are Responsible

When a minor child gets their driver’s license, the parent signs a form saying that they will be responsible if their child gets in an accident. Colorado also holds parents responsible for accidents involving their children under the family purpose doctrine.

This doctrine allows car accident victims to hold a family member responsible when the driver was using the car for a family purpose, even when the vehicle owner wasn’t driving. The doctrine treats the driver as the owner’s agent, allowing the accident victim to recover from a financially responsible owner when the real at-fault party can’t pay.

The Car Owner Is Responsible

Car owners can be held responsible for accidents involving vehicles registered to them. However, it may be necessary to show that the owner did something wrong to recover compensation for them, such as showing that they negligently entrusted a driver with their vehicle when the driver was:

Inexperienced
Drunk or otherwise impaired
A known dangerous driver
Unlicensed
Ill

The Accident Is Caused by a Defective Product

If a vehicle had a defective product in it that contributed to a collision, a third-party could be liable.

You may be able to file a product liability claim against anyone involved in the sales process, including:

The product manufacturer
The vehicle manufacturer
The product designer
The wholesaler
The dealership

The Accident Is Caused by Dangerous Road Conditions

The government is responsible for designing and maintaining safe roadways. If it neglects this duty, it could be responsible for resulting injuries.

Learn About Your Legal Rights When You Call for a Free Case Review

If you were recently injured in a motor vehicle accident that you suspect was caused by a third party, the experienced car accident attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young can review the situation. We can identify the parties responsible for your injuries and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.

When is a Third Party Liable for a Colorado Car Accident?