When Your Vehicle is Involved in An Accident While Someone Else Drives
States such as Florida and New York are no-fault states, which means that in the event of a car crash, each driver’s auto insurance provider will cover the cost of damages. The car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. If you allow a friend or family member to drive your vehicle and they are involved in an accident, as the policyholder, you must file a claim. However, if the friend or family member was at fault for the auto accident and the other party sustained severe injuries and other damages, it can result in other legal and financial consequences.
Legal Liability When You Allow Someone Else to Drive Your Vehicle
When you allow a friend or family member to drive your vehicle it can result in a variety of financial and legal consequences, especially if they are involved in a serious car crash.
Insurance Liability
In most cases, your auto insurance will cover your car, extending to anyone you allow to drive your vehicle. However, if that person is involved in a motor vehicle collision, your insurance will take responsibility for the damages caused. This can result in higher premiums in the future.
Legal Responsibility
You may also be faced with legal responsibility for the accident if you allow an unlicensed, uninsured, or inexperienced driver to use your car, which could result in a lawsuit and financial liability for injuries and damages.
Vehicle Repair Costs
Any damage done to your car will be your financial responsibility, especially if your insurance policy doesn’t cover the type of accident that occurred.
Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you allow another person to drive your vehicle and they caused a serious accident that resulted in severe injuries and other damages, the other driver may pursue additional compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Whether they can file a lawsuit against you can depend on whether you knowingly loaned your vehicle to an uninsured driver, a driver who was under the influence, or a driver who was otherwise not fit to operate a motor vehicle. You may want to file a lawsuit if the motorist driving the other vehicle was negligent and caused significant vehicle damage.
During this challenging time, you must hire a car accident lawyer to help protect your rights. A car accident lawyer can investigate the collision to determine which driver was at fault, gather evidence, handle all communication with the insurance company or defense attorney, and file a lawsuit on your behalf to help you pursue additional compensation for vehicle damage and other losses.
Contact Us Today!
At Friedland & Associates, our car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling complex auto accident claims and know how to negotiate with insurance companies to help you recover the compensation you deserve. If you were injured in an auto accident and your insurance company is refusing to pay you the settlement you deserve, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We can discuss your case and explain your legal rights and options, moving forward.
