One of the most important steps you can take to save your friendship and yourself in court is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. If your friend was driving your car and crashed it, you may be looking at a complicated legal case.
An attorney from Fasig | Brooks can simplify state laws that apply to your case and explain how to proceed to protect yourself and your friendship.
Whose Insurance Covers the Accident?
Your auto insurance policy follows the car, not you. If your friend borrows your car and gets into an accident, then your insurance covers the damages. If another driver is responsible, their insurance will cover the accident. However, if your friend causes an accident that results in damages over your policy limit, then your friend’s insurance may have to pay for the overage.
Ultimately, what happens in your specific situation comes down to what is in your insurance policy and the circumstances surrounding the accident. No two cases are the same, so it’s important to work with an attorney who can help you regardless of who was at fault or what your policy states.
If You Didn’t Consent to Lending Your Vehicle
Your policy only applies if your friend had permission to borrow the car. If your friend borrows your car without your permission or knowledge, then you may not be liable for damages to the other driver. However, you might have to use your own insurance to repair or replace your vehicle.
If your friend borrows your car without your permission, or you have other questions about gathering evidence and meeting deadlines to file a claim, you should speak to an attorney.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney
There are far-reaching consequences to these situations, including increased premiums and deductibles. Going through a personal injury case with a friend adds stress to your relationship to an already difficult time. For those reasons and many more, it is advised that you seek an experienced personal injury attorney.
An attorney can get started on any legal challenges you might face in your case. If the accident exceeds both your and your friend’s insurance limits and your friend was at fault, then you could be sued by the injured party. An attorney can protect your interests and your rights.
This is a distressing situation, but the good news is that most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, and they don’t charge you unless they recover a settlement for you. That means very little financial risk is associated with scheduling a consultation with an attorney. An experienced car accident lawyer can fight for you to ensure your interests are protected.
