Car Accident Lawyers in Rochester, Minneapolis & St. Paul Areas
It is common for people to give out their vehicles to family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends. Once you lend your car, the driver who borrowed it becomes responsible for ensuring that they drive safely and return the car in good condition. Unfortunately, accidents happen anytime, anywhere. If your car gets involved in an accident with another person as the driver, you might get confused and frustrated about who will be liable for the damage. Read on to learn about determining liability in a car accident involving a borrowed vehicle.
Determining Coverage for the Vehicle and the Driver
Whose Insurance Policy Covers the Vehicle?
Both the driver who borrowed the car, and the owner who lent it, are responsible for any damages caused by the driver.
Whose Insurance Policy Covers the Driver?
If the driver who borrowed your car gets injured in an auto accident, your policy will cover them. The coverage, however, depends on the severity of the accident and the damage incurred. If the vehicle’s coverage isn’t sufficient to cover the damage, you may need additional insurance.
What to Do If Your Borrowed Car Gets Involved in an Accident
File a Report with the Police
Once you determine that the person who borrowed the car is in stable condition, you should immediately file a report with the police. One party might have informed the police earlier after the accident occurred in some cases. If this is the case, ensure you obtain a copy of the police report and keep it safe.
Inform the Relevant Insurance Company
The next step is contacting your car insurance provider. Since your car was involved in an accident, it is your responsibility to inform your insurance company about the accident and that you had given out the car when the accident occurred. The insurance company will review your auto insurance coverage terms to determine the people covered in your policy.
Your car insurance policy covers any of your family members that live with you. It also covers anyone you lend your car and allow to use with your permission.
Speak to a Car Accident Attorney
Handling car accidents involving a borrowed vehicle can be draining, challenging, and time-consuming if you lack legal expertise. The insurance company may want to take advantage and pay you less compensation than you deserve. This is why you should do all it takes to recover the damage you incurred in the accident. In this case, it is best to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer such as Patterson Dahlberg Injury Lawyers to advise and guide you through the processes.
If the other driver files a lawsuit against you, you won’t have to worry about dealing with the complex processes if you work with an experienced car accident lawyer. This might occur if the driver who borrowed your car was at fault in the accident. If you were a passenger at the time of the accident and got injured, the lawyer can help you receive compensation for the injuries you sustained.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
Has your borrowed car recently been involved in an accident? We can help. Patterson Dahlberg Injury Lawyers have expertise and experience in dealing with such cases and will do all it takes to help you get your deserved compensation. Contact us today for a consultation and professional legal help.