In
most cases, the party driving the car involved in a car accident is the owner
of that car. But, sometimes, the driver responsible for the car accident is not
the actual owner of the car. In this case, determining whose insurance policy
is responsible for covering the damages can be difficult. This is because every
car crash is unique, and the cost of injuries and damages depends greatly on
the specifications of the crash and policies involved.
In
most car accident cases, the negligent driver who caused the car accident is
held liable for the injuries and damages. But, there are situations that the
law can attribute fault to the owner of the car. Our car accident lawyer in Pennsylvania lists the legal principles that can
be applied to car accident cases that are caused by a non-owner of the vehicle.
Entrusting
Your Vehicle to a Negligent Driver
Negligent
entrustment makes you liable to pay for the damages and injuries caused in the
accident because you have assigned your vehicle to someone unfit to drive. They
might have been under the influence of alcohol, unlicensed, inexperienced
behind the wheel, have decreased eyesight, or have a history of reckless
driving.
Family
Car Doctrine
Family
car doctrine is similar to negligent entrustment because it involves letting
someone who is unfit to drive your car. For example, parents allow their kids
to drive their car, and if they cause the accident, the parents are liable to
pay for the damages. This liability depends on different factors such as,
Ø
Who paid
for the car
Ø
The name
on the title
Ø
The intent
of the parents and minors
Ø
Who
controlled the use of the vehicle
Low
Maintenance of the Vehicle
A
vehicle that is not well-maintained poses safety risks to the person driving
the car. As a vehicle owner, you must keep your car well-maintained to minimize
the safety risks and keep your car and the one who drives it safe. You will be
liable to injuries and damages caused if you fail to maintain it properly.
Employer
Liability
If
the car accident is caused by the driver driving your commercial vehicle, as an
employer, you are responsible for your employee’s negligence. In this case, you
are responsible for paying for the damages caused by your employee.
In certain
jurisdictions, the person who signs the minor’s driver license application is
also liable for the damages caused by the car accident. Most states allow the
victim to file a lawsuit against the driver and the owner to get the
compensation they need. So, talk to your Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers to clarify whether you fall into
any of the above categories if your vehicle has been involved in a car
accident.
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