What Happens When You’re In An Accident Driving Someone Else’s Car?

What Happens When You Get Into An Accident While Driving Someone Else’s Car?

When someone else is driving your car, you might wonder what will happen if they get into an accident. Will the insurance for your vehicle count as if you were operating it? Or will the other driver’s insurance cover the accident?

Georgia law requires drivers to have liability insurance coverage. This type of policy pays for damage that you cause in a car accident.

So, if you borrow your friend’s car and get into an accident, the vehicle owner’s liability policy should cover the damages. However, there are some circumstances that can complicate this process.

This article explains what happens when you get into an accident while driving someone else’s car. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact us today for a free consultation.

Who’s Insurance Will Be Liable If Someone Else Wrecks Your Car?

If you get into an accident, who pays for the damages? Who is responsible for the injuries? In Georgia, the law requires drivers to carry liability insurance that covers both bodily injury and property damage. Under Georgia Code 51-1-6, the person who causes a car accident is legally liable for all damages.

The owner of any vehicle shall be responsible for death or injuries to person or property resulting from a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the operation of such vehicle, by any person legally using or operating the same with the permission of such owner.

Simply put, if you were driving someone else’s car, and you caused the accident, the owner’s auto insurance policy should cover most of those costs. However, if the coverage limits are too low to cover all of the damages, your insurance or personal assets may be at risk.

What If The Person Driving Your Car Has Their Own Insurance Policy?

Accidents happen. It’s a fact of life, and the likelihood that you will be involved in one increases exponentially when you get behind the wheel.

Another fact: You are far more likely to be involved in an accident while driving someone else’s car than your own. After all, you drive your own car every day and know its quirks, as well as how and when to avoid potential accidents.

If you lend your car to someone who has their own auto insurance policy, that person’s insurance may act as secondary coverage in the event of a claim. This means that if any damage occurs as a result of your friends action, your insurance will pay for it first, then any other coverage may pick up the remaining costs.

In short, when you are driving a car that is not yours, the owner’s insurance will be liable for any damage that is done. Your own auto insurance would be secondary.

Now, if you’ve found yourself in this kind of situation, or have been in a previous accident that was someone else’s fault, we urge you to contact a personal injury attorney. Fault can be hard to determine from the insurance company’s perspective and if you don’t receive compensation for your injury it will be an unfortunate financial hardship.

The Cobb County auto accident attorney at the law office of Cohen & Sinowski have years of experience handling personal injury cases stemming from car accidents in Georgia, and we will represent your interests every step of the way.