It’s always nerve-wracking to get a phone call or text from a friend or loved one saying there’s been a car accident. But what if the car they were driving is yours? Now you’re not just worried about them, you’re wondering if you are liable for their accident.
King Law Firm Managing Shareholder Greg King says that if someone is in an accident while driving your car, “you should immediately notify your insurance company and confirm that the crash was reported to the closest law enforcement agency to where the crash occurred.”
King goes on to explain that Florida’s dangerous instrumentality doctrine covers motor vehicles.
“Under Florida’s dangerous instrumentality doctrine, you are personally responsible for all damages caused by someone operating a vehicle you own. If you have insurance coverage, the insurance contract will have a provision that the insurance will pay the damages for which you are legally liable and for which you purchased coverage.”
Payments for damages and injuries after a crash will depend on what types of insurance you carry on your vehicle, King adds.
“For instance, if you only purchased PIP and Property Damage Liability, and the person driving your car has no other coverage available, your insurance company will pay for the medical expenses of the person driving your car and the property damage they caused in the crash.
Your insurance company will not pay the other person for bodily injuries they received, if you did not purchase bodily injury liability coverage, but you are still personally responsible for those damages. Your automobile insurance will not pay for the damage to your vehicle, unless you purchased collision coverage.”
After an accident with injuries, you have legal options and the experienced, local personal injury attorneys at King Law Firm are ready to help.
King Law Firm
2156 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34470
(352) 261-6648
www.kinglawfirm.org
