Fields v. Sanders

In Fields v. Sanders (1947) 29 Cal.2d 834, where the employee, while driving an oil truck, got into an accident with the driver of a car which turned into a physical altercation, the court held that the employer was liable under a theory of respondeat superior. "Admittedly, the employee Sanders was engaged in his employer's business while operating the truck along the highway to his appointed destination. In the course of such travel the collision with plaintiff's car allegedly occurred, with the result that the drivers of the respective vehicles were required by law to stop and each furnish the other with certain information and identification data. Not only did the quarrel leading to plaintiff's injury arise solely over Sanders' performance of his duties as the driver of the truck, but obviously Sanders' entire association with plaintiff arose out of his use of the public highway on his employer's business." (Id. at pp. 839-840.)