Which rule states that principals are not liable for injuries caused by agents commuting to work?

The correct answer pertains to the principle of vicarious liability, which establishes that an employer (or principal) is not held liable for the negligent acts of an employee (or agent) that occur while the employee is commuting to and from work. This rule is vital in distinguishing between actions that are considered part of an employee's duties and those that occur outside of work-related responsibilities, such as during a commute.

Under the vicarious liability doctrine, an employer is generally responsible for the actions of employees when those actions occur in the course of employment. However, injuries sustained during routine commutes fall outside this scope since commuting does not pertain to specific work activities or responsibilities. This exception effectively protects employers from claims related to accidents or injuries that happen when employees are traveling to or from the workplace, reaffirming the principle that liability is closely tied to the employee's conduct while performing job-related tasks.

While the respondent superior rule is closely related and often used in discussions of vicarious liability, it refers more specifically to the concept of holding an employer responsible for the actions of employees during the course of their employment, which does not encompass commuting activities. The workplace liability rule and the commuting liability exception are not formally recognized concepts in legal terminology with regard to this