A friend asks you if they can borrow your car, and your answer is an easy, “Of course.” After all, what are friends for? They are just going down the road a bit to the store and bringing the car right back. No big deal, right? Unfortunately, if your buddy is involved in an accident while driving your car, the situation could get a little sticky. Depending on how serious the accident was, you could be left to carry the can.
Understanding just how your insurance company covers an accident that did not involve the policyholder can be tricky. Before you let anyone drive your vehicle, make sure you understand how your insurer handles permissive driver accidents. If your car was involved in an accident, but you were not the one driving, the experienced Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can help. Call us today to schedule your free legal consultation.
Your auto insurance covers the vehicle, not the driver. If your car was at fault for an accident, then the collision coverage on your policy will help you cover damage to the vehicle, and your liability coverage will cover the other party’s personal damages.
If someone driving your car is injured, your liability coverage will not apply to their medical bills, although your collision coverage could help cover the cost of vehicle repairs. If you have MedPay coverage, then your policy might also provide a degree of coverage for your friend’s medical expenses.
A permissive driver is someone who has your permission to operate your vehicle but is not named on your auto insurance policy. Some insurance policies extend insurance coverage to these drivers, but not all do.
If the damages from the accident exceed the limits of your policy, the permissive driver’s insurance may have to step in. If that is the case, their policy could help cover any remaining expenses not covered by your policy.
Despite all of this, there are some scenarios in which your auto insurance will not cover damages related to an accident involving a permissive driver. They include:
If you, as the owner, were negligent in permitting someone else to drive your vehicle, and that driver is found at fault for an injury-causing accident, then yes, you could bear responsibility for negligent entrustment.
For example, if you allow someone who is clearly under the influence to operate your vehicle, and they cause a wreck that injures another person, the victim can hold you, the owner, and the drunk driver liable for their damages.
At this point, you may be thinking that the wisest option is simply not to let anyone borrow your car, but this isn’t always a practical solution. There may be an occasion where you are unable to drive yourself, or you have a friend in need, and you are the only person who can help.
Instead of forbidding everyone from using your car, it’s much simpler to gain some additional insight into your car insurance policy. Talk to your insurance carrier and ask them to break down exactly what your policy covers. If you think it might be necessary to alter your policy, ask your representative what changes they suggest.
Our team will explore all of your legal options, work to prove liability, and pursue fair compensatory damages. Our attorneys can help you secure an equitable judgment or settlement by:
To learn who may be responsible for the crash involving your vehicle, consult with a knowledgeable Virginia Beach car accident lawyer. Depending on the situation, your insurance might have to cover the damage to your car or your friend’s injuries. At the same time, if your friend was not to blame, they might still be able to pursue compensation for their damages.
If someone driving your car is involved in an accident, you’ll need reliable legal advice in order to get yourself straight. Call on the experienced Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. With more than 10 combined decades of experience practicing personal injury law, we have the experience and dedication required to defend your case in court.
That’s exactly what we achieved when we secured a $300,000 recovery for a client who was injured during a side impact collision. To schedule your free case review, call (833) 997-1774 or fill out our brief online contact form. For your convenience, we have offices in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Norfolk.
A friend asks you if they can borrow your car, and your answer is an easy, “Of course.” After all, what are friends for? They are just going down the road a bit to the store and bringing the car right back. No big deal, right? Unfortunately, if your buddy is involved in an accident…
In order to recover damages in a Virginia Beach car accident case, the plaintiff has to show both negligence and damages arising from the incident. It is not uncommon for drivers who are at fault for an accident to plead no contest or to plead guilty to a traffic charge, only to later deny liability…
Simply put, the defense team cannot use evidence that the plaintiff accessed health insurance coverage or disability benefits to argue for denial of compensation for negligence or recklessness.
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a Virginia car accident attorney to find out what your legal options may be. Call our office today.
What is the legal process for filing an injury claim on behalf of a child in the state of Virginia? Contact a Virginia accident attorney for details.