What Happens If You Are In An Accident While Driving Someone Else’s Car?

Being in a car accident can be a nightmare, and it can be even more stressful if the car you were driving belonged to someone else. In such a situation, you might be wondering who will pay for any damages or injuries you suffered.

Contact our Seattle car accident lawyers at Emerald Law Group to explore your compensation options if you were involved in an accident while driving someone else’s car.

Will the Car Owner’s Insurance Policy Cover Your Damages?

If you are involved in a car accident while driving someone else’s car, the general rule is that the car owner’s insurance will cover any damages, injuries, or losses you suffer as a result of the accident. This is usually the case no matter what caused the accident, such as driver negligence or a car malfunction.

However, the insurance coverage that will apply depends on the type of insurance policy the car owner has. If they have a liability-only policy, it may not cover your damages. Liability-only policies typically only cover damages and injuries the car owner causes to someone else or their property.

If the car owner has comprehensive or collision coverage, these types of policies would cover damages to their car and any other cars involved in the accident, as well as your injuries.

When Can the Car Owner’s Insurance Exclude You from Coverage?

Despite the general rule that the car owner’s insurance will cover your damages, there are some situations where you might be excluded from coverage. For example, if you were driving the car and you do not have a valid driver’s license or if you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

There are also situations where the car owner’s insurance may not cover your damages because of exclusions in their policy. For example, if the car owner’s policy excludes coverage for drivers under the age of 25, and you are under 25, then their insurance policy may not cover your damages.

It’s also important to note that if you were driving someone else’s car with their permission, their insurance policy will usually cover your damages. However, if you were driving their car without permission, their insurance policy may not cover your damages.

What Should You Do if You Are in an Accident in Someone Else’s Car?

If you are in an accident while driving someone else’s car, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention if you are injured. Once you are safe, report the accident to the car owner’s insurance company as soon as possible. You will need to provide the insurance company with your contact information, the details of the accident, and any other relevant information. If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information too.

What if the Car Owner Does Not Have Insurance?

If the car owner does not have insurance, you may need to file a claim with your own insurance company to cover your damages, especially if you have insurance coverage that includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is one of the many reasons why you should purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage when buying car insurance!

Were You Injured in Someone Else’s Car? Get Legal Help

Being involved in a car accident is always frustrating, and it can be even more stressful if you are in an accident in someone else’s car. Contact Emerald Law Group to get legal help if you were involved in a car accident in someone else’s car. Call 206-826-5160 to receive a free case review.

Source:

apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=4.16.080