Commercial van accident - help

sane01

Hi there

I wondered if anyone would know where we stand regarding an accident in a commercial van owed by us but driven by an employee.

Our employee went out on Sunday whilst not working and had an accident, when we spoke to the police as he never told us the gave us a reference number and then told him he was under police investigation but were not able to say why. I assume it may be for dangerous driving or perhaps drunk driving although there is no evidence for the latter but the policeman had said he was driving fast as he went through a wall and is lucky to be alive, personally I did not think Ford Ka vans could go that fast but there you go.

Anyway my question is if he is charged with dangerous driving where would we stand - would the insurance pay out and would we be liable for damage?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

dacouch

The Insurers should pay out on the claim against you.

It would be worth you looking at your H&S as it's best practice for an employer is to have a drivers handbook for employees who drive for business use. A small amount of time training the drivers, giving them a handbook (Which you should get written acceptance from them that they have read the handbook and will abide by it)

adamc260

You can get a ford ka van? seems pointless they're like the worlds smallest vehicles!! (Off topic I know)

sane01

Yes I know Ford Ka are very small but as we have just found out can take down a very big wall.

We also found out he was breathilised and then a blood test taken so he must have been just over the limit, I somehow think it will not be covered now.

dacouch

Who are you insured with

sane01

Aviva through quoteline direct.

Quentin

sane01 wrote: »

I somehow think it will not be covered now.

The third party will get paid (assuming that liability is accepted). The insurer could come and clawback their costs if the driver was over the limit.

sane01

When you say claw back the costs, do you think that would be from the driver or me as the owner of the van.

Quentin

Your policy will have a condition allowing them to recover money they have had to pay out to third parties from either of you.