Paul Ryan Could Face Vicarious Liability For Aide’s Car Accident.

Each day, millions of Americans drive on our roads and highways. Although we hope that drivers will operate their vehicles with a reasonable degree of care, this is not always the case. Too often, drivers are distracted from the roadway by other passengers in the vehicle, cell phones or other things inside the car. When drivers are distracted, car accidents are far more likely to occur; and when accidents do occur, the injuries can be devastating.

Wisconsin Representative and former Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan is being sued in connection with a car accident involving one of his former aides. Kevin Seifert, who today serves as Ryan’s chief of staff, was serving as Ryan’s press secretary back in February of 2014 when the car accident occurred. Paul Ryan was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, but is named in the suit in his capacity as the driver’s employer. According to the lawsuit, Seifert was acting within the scope of his employment when the car crash occurred. Therefore, his employer, Paul Ryan, may be vicariously liable for his employee’s negligence.

Santos Perez filed the $100,000 lawsuit against Paul Ryan on January 8, 2015. According to ABC News, Seifert allegedly rear-ended Perez’s vehicle, injuring Perez and his passenger. Paul Ryan and his chief of staff are being represented by the U.S. Department of Justice. On their behalf, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss arguing that absent a waiver of sovereign immunity, the federal government is immune from suit. According to the motion, the plaintiff must exhaust administrative remedies under the Federal Tort Claims Act before going forward with a lawsuit. Plaintiffs are being represented by Matthew Tievsky.

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