Legal Question in Employment Law in Texas

Employee held responsible for accident damages on the job

I work at a car dealership in the service department as a mechanic. About 4 months ago I had an accident in a customers car with another vehicle that resulted in damages to both cars. The insurance for the company paid for the damages on the other driver's car and they paid out of pocket to repair our customers car. Now they are trying to make me pay the deductible on their insurance policy which is $2500. They say they are doing me a favor because they are letting me make payments out of my check and not charging me the damage to our customers car which they already fixed. I disagreed stating that I never agreed to those terms before the accident so I will not pay it. They sent me a form with my signature on it that is titled ''Use of Company Vehicles by Sales Personnel.'' It does have a paragraph that states ''If an accident occurs outside of regular business hours in which the Company's insurance carrier requires ''Company name Here'' to pay any portion of the damage, you will be required to pay the deductible required by our carrier.''

It was my fault but I was doing my job when it happened. Can I legally be held responsible for paying this? If I don't pay it, I will be uninsurable to them and will be fired.


Asked on 7/23/08, 7:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Donald McLeaish McLeaish&Associates;, P.C.

Re: Employee held responsible for accident damages on the job

You may be..but call your own liability insurance carrier..it is responsible. It is hard to believe your employer would not require you to have insurance personally..at least liability as required by law. Let the insurance companies fight it out..

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Answered on 7/24/08, 7:15 am


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