If you were the registered owner of a car and someone borrowed or stole your car and crashed it into another car or property or killed someone, as the registered owner of the car, are you liable for damages if the person driving your car refuses to pay? Lets also assume that you do NOT have insurance.
This may sound silly, but my husband says, that you are responsible, as you are the registered owner of the vehicle. If the driver refuses to pay, it comes down to the registered owner. I say NOT so, because even if you are the registered owner of the vehicle, you are not responsible for the way the other person has driven your car, you are not in control of the situation.
WHO IS RIGHT???
2006-07-28 03:32:14 · 21 answers · asked by miss piggy 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Different states have different laws on this subject matter:
The most common view:
If a person has stolen your car then NO you would not be held responsible for it UNLESS you left the keys in the ignition with the engine on which the courts have said would be a big neon light to any criminal screaming "take my car" under this you would be held responsible. advice: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ENGINE ON TO GO IN REAL QUICK YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE.
As to the borrower:
Common among states is that you would be held responsible:
It is your car and you are master of that domain. You have the obligation to lend out a "one ton mahcine made of steel" to a responsible driver. Would it be criminal responsibility NO but civil they would go after the car's insurance holder (YOU) and if you knew the person was a bad driver (DUI, speeding tickets) then they would most likely go after you personally which means that pretty house you might own might become the property of the person your "borrowed friend" hit. (Probably not your house but you catch the drift).
So answer is that you are both right and wrong...just like everything in the law there is an argument for both sides.
Criminal - not responsible unless you left the car on
Borrower - yes, because "IT IS YOUR DUTY NOT TO LENT TO SOME BAD DRIVER"
thank you.
2006-07-28 03:52:48 · answer #1 · answered by huh62879 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are the registered owner of the vehicle, you are responsible for anything that happens. If the person that borrowed the car got in the accident, wether it was their fault or not, he or she should take responsibility and take care of the damages but they do not have to since YOU are the person that the car is registered under. I'm sorry but your husband is right. You are responsible for anything that happens but the borrower should offer to pick up the tab even though in most cases, they don't.
2006-07-28 03:38:55 · answer #2 · answered by twash77 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You, as the owner, are responsible for having insurance- period !
If you let someone borrow your car it is your responsibility to ensure that they have a valid drivers license and insurance.
If someone steals your car that's a different circumstance.
You are in control by making sure you act like a responsible adult.
Taking responsibility is what's lacking these days.
Your husband is correct in this matter.
2006-07-28 03:56:36 · answer #3 · answered by jarhed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the car was lent out sadly most courts would hold you responsible. That's why insurance covers the car. However for any damage not covered by car insurance that you would settled in court and the driver would be the one to pay. So both of you are correct to different degree on that part.
If the car is stolen and not insurer's then you are just out a car you do not have to pay for any damage done.
2006-07-28 03:39:19 · answer #4 · answered by uthockey32 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the owner of the car would be liable. If you let someone borrow your vehicle and they wreck it, it would fall back on you. I saw something like this on Judge Judy(lol) once and she said the owner of the vehicle was responsible. However, if the car was stolen and reported stolen, than the case may be different.
2006-07-28 03:36:48 · answer #5 · answered by traci00 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your husband is right. Insurance packages that you have yourself on the car can vary, some don't cover anyone driving your car under a certain age for example.
You are responsible for your car when it is on the road, and what happens when someone is driving it. That is why you have insurance.
It comes down to your last statement. "you are not in control of the situation". That would be a problem then, because it being your car...you are the one with the ultimate control.
As for criminal charges for taking someone's life...that would be to the driver to go to court/serve time for/ what not.
Think of it as if you had someone come into your house, and did something to accidently make your house burn down. Sure they were in it, it was your house...but if you dont' have insurance you are out of luck.
2006-07-28 03:57:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay...if someone steals your car you should in no way be liable for any damage caused by this person. If you own a vehicle which is being driven on a regular basis - you would be mighty damn stupid to not have insurance (trust me...my brother ended up with a suspended license for 9 months - including his car being 'booted' for one month - because he failed to show proof of insurance.
2006-07-28 03:38:29 · answer #7 · answered by Sunidaze 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would depend on whether or not you allowed the person to take your car. If you don't have insurance, you are going to be penalized for that anyway. The person who killed the other person can sue you for medical bills and the whole scenario teaches a valuable lesson. 1) Don't loan your car. 2) Don't have a car without proper insurance.
2006-07-28 03:36:39 · answer #8 · answered by curiositycat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the borrower wasn't given permission, then the borrower is liable. If the borrower is given permission, but refuses to pay, the owner is liable.
2006-07-28 03:37:12 · answer #9 · answered by Migity696 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lawfully, if it is stolen, you bear no responsibility for what the thief does in your vehicle...happened to my mom....she was involved in a hit and run where the hitter had stolen the car....thru a lengthy court involvement, the judge said the owner and her insurance were NOT responsible for the accident and the thief must make restitution...hope that helps
2006-07-28 03:37:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋