Auto accidents can happen at any time. So, it follows that they can happen on the job, going to and from work, and during lunchtime and other breaks.
When an employee is at fault in an accident or is on the receiving end of bodily injury or property damage, does the employee have any recourse through his employer’s insurance coverage? Courts were charged with answering that question in some recent cases.
In Country Mutual Insurance Co. v. Teachers Insurance Co., No. 89412, 2001 Ill. LEXIS 245 (March 22, 2001), the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that public policy does not obligate a school’s insurer to provide only excess coverage for a teacher’s auto accident.
Jo Chapman, a teacher at Sandoval High School, slid off of an icy road in her car while driving within the scope of her employment. Jamie Johnston, a student and passenger in Chapman’s car, was injured in the accident.
