Owning company vehicles is a necessity for most businesses. However, there are some fleet legal liabilities that you need to be aware of if you own cars and vans for your business. From vehicle maintenance to rules and compliance, here are a few you should stay informed about.

Employees Involved in a Crash

Delivery services, transportation, and company cars are all part of commerce. As a fleet owner, there are responsibilities you need to be aware of. One of the most critical is that there are legal complexities that can arise when an employee is injured in a company vehicle. First, they need to understand their rights, and an automobile wreck lawyer can help determine liability. This can also help void potential legal recourse against an individual employee or the company.

Vehicle Roadworthiness and Maintenance

All vehicles must be roadworthy, or you risk severe penalties and the lives of other people. As a named owner, it is your responsibility to ensure any cars, vans, or trucks owned by the company are fit for purpose. Daily FLOWER checks will help catch small issues before they become larger ones. However, annual mechanic servicing, such as the MOT, is law in some countries. A system for reporting incidents and defects will help prevent incidents and legal action.

Fleet Legal Liabilities and Driver Competency

A fleet that isn’t moving could mean your drivers are not exactly the hardest workers. And this could mean a driver isn’t competent either. Around 40% of road accidents are work-related, and without proper driver discipline, you risk becoming a statistic, too. Of course, all drivers must be licensed to drive. But that doesn’t mean they should! Driver tests are necessary to mitigate risks. This includes road knowledge and testing for impairments such as drugs or alcohol.

Regulations and Compliance Requirements

There are compliance regulations for fleet drivers in most countries. As a business, it is your responsibility to ensure the company and drivers adhere to the laws set out in areas of operation. For example, there could be set hours that driving commercial vehicles isn’t allowed. There are also limits on how long a driver can operate a vehicle at any given time. Keeping records about driver performance, incidents, and vehicle maintenance will help with compliance.

Corporate Fleet Insurance Policies

Of course, fleet vehicles need insurance. Liability insurance is a major policy and protects your company should something bad happen. It also saves you a lot of money in the long run and is a legal requirement in many countries. However, something as trivial as insurance can get away from you. So make a point of scheduling insurance reviews with reminders and appointments, and give yourself adequate time to bridge the gap between vehicle insurance policy renewals.

Summary

Employees involved in a road accident are just one of the many legal liabilities of the fleet to be aware of. Any driver must also be licensed and competent to operate a vehicle. However, insurance is also a must, so ensure all policies are up to date to avoid legal problems.