Is a principal generally liable for injuries caused by agents while commuting to or from work?

A principal is generally not liable for injuries caused by agents while commuting to or from work because this period is considered outside the scope of the agent's employment. Liability typically hinges on whether the agent was acting within the scope of their employment when the injury occurred. Commuting is usually a personal activity and does not fall under the employer's responsibility.

In most situations, the principal is only liable for actions taken during the actual performance of work-related duties. Since commuting to and from work is personal time for the agent, the employer cannot be held responsible for any accidents or injuries that occur during that time. This delineation between personal time and work-related actions is a crucial aspect of the employer-employee relationship and liability under tort law.

The other possibilities, such as conditional liability based on the agent being late or only during working hours, do not accurately capture the principle that commuting is not within the scope of employment. Hence, the assertion that the principal is not liable for commuting-related injuries stands as the correct interpretation of the relationship between agents and principals.