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Company Car Accidents – Can I Claim Compensation?

By Cat Way. Last Updated 9th December 2024. Welcome to our company car accident claims guide. Some people believe that if they are injured whilst in a company car, they would not be able to claim compensation. In fact, employees driving company cars are just as eligible to claim compensation as an employee driving their own vehicle for work. It makes no difference that the claimant doesn’t own the car. They could still claim company car compensation.

This is because, when seeking compensation for an employee car accident, it doesn’t matter what vehicle you’re driving. The important thing about claiming compensation for incidents like this is proving that your injury was caused by third-party negligence. 

Our guide will help you through what goes into a company car accident claim. It will answer questions, such as “if I’ve suffered an accident in a work vehicle, who pays?” and “if I’m involved in a company car accident, will my employer be charging employees for vehicle damage?”

To learn more, you can call our team of advisors using 0800 073 8804. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can contact us through our website or send us your query using the Live chat window now on your screen. 

Please continue reading to learn more about claiming for an employee car accident.

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A car in the middle of the road with a destroyed car boot.

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What Is A Company Car-Related Road Accident?

If you have use of a company car that you use to carry out your work, travel to and from appointments or that you use to get to work and back home, then your employer should have you down on the company insurance. A company car-related road accident is if you are involved in an accident whilst driving the company car.

If the accident is due to another person’s negligence, and you are injured as a result, then you can claim company car compensation, even though the car does not belong to you. We could help you with this as we have years of experience and a great track record of making successful claims.

But What If The Other Driver Is Uninsured Or Cannot Be Traced?

When it’s found that the other driver liable for the accident is not insured, or they cannot be traced after the accident, you can still claim compensation, but it needs to go through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). Read more on MIB compensation here.

Although you can apply to the MIB for compensation directly without the help of a personal injury solicitor, it is advised to at least get some legal advice so that you are fully aware and understanding of the circumstances of your claim to make it successful. Please give us a call, and we can give you a free consultation to discuss your company car accident claims.

If you’ve been involved in an employee car accident, you may also require medical assistance. A doctor or medical professional should fully assess your injuries so that they can recommend the best form of treatment. We will go into more detail about this below.

What To Do If You Are Involved In A Company Car Road Accident

Following a company car accident, there are a few things you can do to prove that the incident was not your fault. We have summarised a few examples of potential evidence that can be used in company car accident claims below.

Examples can include:

  • After any accident, no matter how minor, the first thing we always recommend is to seek professional medical attention. While your health is the first priority, the records of the treatment you receive, such as copies of x-rays or any test results, can be used as evidence in your claim.
  • If the driver stops, be sure to exchange insurance and contact information. In cases where the driver does not stop, if you are able, note down the registration number and as many details about the vehicle as you can.
  • If available, you can request footage from any CCTV or dashcam devices that capture the accident occurring.
  • Take photographs of your injuries, the scene of the crash and its cause.
  • Anyone who saw the accident take place could act as a witness. Make sure you have their contact information so they can provide a statement during the claims process.

One of our dedicated road accident solicitors could help when gathering evidence. To find out if you’re eligible to work with a solicitor, get in touch with our advisory team today using the contact information given below.

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Company Car-Related Road Accident At Work Claims

All employees driving company vehicles should undergo a driving at work risk assessment to firstly ensure that they are competent drivers, so they don’t pose any unnecessary risk to themselves or others on the roads, but also to make sure that there are no unnecessary risks involved in the driving task they have been set. Driving continuously without a break is a common reason for work-related road deaths in the UK. So all drivers of company vehicles should also be given a schedule that will show the company car driver’s maximum hours that they are allowed to drive without taking a break by health and safety laws.

If a driver of a company vehicle is in an accident, they can claim compensation. The employer usually handles the insurance claim. Even if the company’s insurance includes legal protection, the employee should seek advice from an independent specialist personal injury solicitor.

The Most Common Types Of Company Car-Related Road Accidents

  • Tiredness – This can be a major factor in road traffic accidents. In general, it is recommended to take a break when tired. Unfortunately, sometimes drivers ignore the rules/advice, resulting in disaster.
  • Mobile phone use – Although it is now law not to use a mobile phone while driving and if caught results in the driver receiving a hefty fine and points on their license, unfortunately, some drivers choose to ignore this and still use their phone regardless of the risks. Using a mobile phone whilst driving is reckless behaviour and has resulted in many accidents and fatalities on the road.
  • Driver error would include failure to look properly, driving at an unsuitable speed, lack of concentration, and poor judgment. Being in a rush due to deadlines at work increases the likelihood of a company car driver making driver errors, resulting in an accident.
  • Alcohol and drug abuse.
  • Inexperience – New drivers are more at risk of accident as they’re more likely to make driver errors.

Any of these could cause the incident resulting in your company car accident claims.

How Much Could Company Car Accident Claims Be Worth?

You may be wondering how much compensation you could receive if you have had an accident in a company car.  Road traffic accident compensation can be split into two heads: general damages and special damages.

Your injuries, including both physical and mental injuries, are covered by general damages. This first head of claim is awarded to every successful claimant. Often, when legal professionals are valuing this head of claim, they will refer to compensation guidelines published in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).

Compensation Table

In the table we have created below, we have included some of the amounts listed in the 16th edition of the JCG. Please only use this table as a guide.

Injury TypeSeverityCompensation Amount
Multiple Very Severe Injuries Together Significant Special DamagesVery SevereUp to £1,000,000 or above.
Leg InjuriesAmputations (a)(ii)£245,900 to £329,620
BackSevere (i)£111,150 to £196,450
Moderate (i)£33,880 to £47,320
FootVery Severe£102,470 to £133,810
ArmLess Severe£23,430 to £47,810
AnkleModerate£16,770 to £32,450
KneeModerate (i)£18,110 to £31,960
Whiplash tariff1+ Whiplash Injuries & 1+ Psychological Injuries£4,345
Whiplash tariff1+ Whiplash Injuries£4,215
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Special Damages

Special damages, the second head of claim, addresses the financial losses you experience because of your injuries. For example, this might include lost earnings if your recovery meant an absence from work. However, in order to claim back any expenses under special damages, you may need to provide evidence, such as bank statements or payslips.

This heading could also potentially help you recoup the cost of:

  • Essential travel.
  • Childcare.
  • Domestic help.
  • Prescriptions.

Our advisors are on hand to help you answer the question, “If I have an accident in a company car, could I claim compensation?” Get in touch today to start your free consultation.

Will The Whiplash Reforms Affect My Claim?

On May 31st 2021, the way some road traffic accident claims are made in England and Wales changed. Now, with the introduction of the Whiplash Reform Programme, drivers or passengers over the age of eighteen with injuries valued at £5,000 or less will make their claims in a different way. 

Your whiplash injuries will be valued in line with the tariffs that have been set out by the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. These are fixed amounts, and we have included some of these amounts in the table above. Any other injuries you have suffered that are not covered by this tariff will be valued in the traditional way.

Our advisors can offer more information on whether the Whiplash Reform Programme will affect your claim. Contact our team today to find out more.

No Win No Fee Company Car Accident Claims

All our personal claims solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis. What this means is that you don’t pay any legal costs until after your claim wins. If your claim isn’t successful, you still don’t pay us anything. And so, you’re not taking any financial risks by claiming us.

Claiming company car compensation can be a long and often complex process. And if you work with a solicitor that you pay by the hour, legal fees could become quite high. Additionally, there is no guarantee that you will receive compensation, potentially leaving you out of pocket. But with No Win No Fee, you haven’t anything to lose as there’s no financial gamble with us. With the extra incentive that our payment relies on a successful claim, we work even harder for your case.

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Call For Free Advice And To Start A Claim.

If you’re in an accident with a company car and want to make a claim, call 0800 073 8804. A member of our team will answer your call and help you in any way that they can. We will endeavour to answer any questions you have as best and accurately as we possibly can. And we talk you through the claim process, so you know the procedures for making a company car accident claim.

We can also put you through to specialised employee car accident solicitors who could help you receive compensation.

Useful links

Check company car details

This is the government site where you can check or update your company car tax. A car must have tax to drive on the highways legally.

Report company car changes

Here company car drivers can make changes to their car and fuel benefits due to their tax code.

NHS advice on whiplash

Whiplash is a common car accident injury. This link takes you to the NHS site that gives information on the whiplash injury, such as symptoms and treatments.

Our guide to whiplash claims

This link will take you to another of our information guides about whiplash injuries and claiming compensation.

We also have some other guides on car accident claims that you may find useful:

Thank you for reading our company car accident claims guide. To learn more about claiming for an employee car accident, contact us at a time that works for you. We can give you free legal advice and even assess your injuries to see if you can claim.