FEATURED VERDICT: Car Dealership Hit With $4 Million Verdict Regarding Fatal Accident Caused by Employee During his Day Off

Auto v. Auto

Schweissinger v. Crown Dodge (Ventura County Superior Court No. 56-2019-00524183-CU-PA-VTA): On October 21, 2022 a jury entered a verdict of $4 million for a wrongful death auto accident against Crown Dodge, a car dealership in Ventura County. The underlying case revolved around an auto accident collision that occurred between Aaron Lane, an employee of Crown Dodge and Jeffrey Schweissinger, the individual killed in accident. John Lane was at the beach during his day off, when he received a call from the dealership informing him that a customer was there to pick up a car. Arron Lane chose to drive to the dealership to complete the transaction, and in the process of driving to his employer, he struck a vehicle being driven by Jeffrey Schweissinger, killing him in the process. Plaintiffs argued that Aaron Lane was operating under the course and scope of his employment duties while driving to the dealership, and that his employer should be vicariously liable for the fatal accident. Defendant argued that Aaron Lane was merely commuting at the time of the accident, and that the “coming and going” rule applied. A jury found that Aaron Lane was in fact acting under the course and scope of his employment duties and awarded plaintiffs the $4 million verdict. Plaintiffs were represented by Chang Klein LLP.