What Happens If Someone Else Is Driving My Car And Gets In An Accident?

Picture this. Your trusted friend or family member asks to borrow your car.

You probably don’t think twice about it, and offer them the keys. However, you haven’t put much thought into the possibility of them getting into a car accident. Situations such as this are often confusing for insurance companies and may lead to complications with covering the damages.

So, what happens to your can and how can you fix it? The answers largely depend on the specifics of the car crash.

Whose Insurance Pays in a Car Accident if the Vehicle is Borrowed?

Many people are led to believe that car insurance applies only to the driver. In fact, it is not; car insurance applies to the vehicle and would cover a driver even if their name was not on the policy.

So, if someone was using your vehicle and was involved in a car accident, your car insurance plan will pay for the accident given that the fault falls on the driver. This is usually just normal business in the cases of minor accidents with no injuries. If the accident was more serious, then the situation could get complicated with the insurance companies.

What if My Car Insurance Refuses to Pay for an Accident?

In some cases, your insurance will have every right to refuse to pay for your accident damages. Let’s explore some of these cases:

• Someone drives your car without taking permission.
• Someone driving your car that was excluded from your insurance policy.
• Someone driving your car while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The toughest part of this is proving whether someone had permission to drive your car or not. If you’re not able to prove that you didn’t give permission, you might be liable for the damages yourself.

In some cases, and as a precautionary measure, some people specifically exclude people they know to have a bad driving record from their insurance policy to protect themselves should an incident happen.

What Should I Do After Someone Else Crashes My Car?

If your car was involved in an accident, even if it did not involve you, it’s crucial to act quickly.

If you’re in contact with the driver, make sure they document the accident very well by taking notes and pictures or any damage or injuries.

The person involved in the accident should also contact the police as soon as they can. This is not only a legal requirement in serious accidents, but it will also work as a record of the accident later for the insurance claim.

In most states, the statute of limitations for personal injuries is two years. So, you will have exactly two years from the date of the accident to seek compensation and that timeframe usually runs out quickly.

You also need to contact a trusted car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your legal rights and how you can recover damages for the accident. Even if you weren’t present during the accident, your lawyer will make sure to hold the at-fault driver responsible and seek your deserved compensation.

Insurance companies are for profit companies, and therefore will always look for any way to pay out less than what they’re supposed to. An experienced car accident lawyer will help protect your rights and fight for your fair compensation.

After a car accident happens in your car, even if it didn’t involve you, it’s important to act quickly. You will have two years from the date of the accident to seek damages after a personal injury accident, and that time can go quickly.