What Should You Do If Hit While Driving Someone Else’s Car in Dallas, TX?
Have you ever borrowed a vehicle from a family member or friend? Have you ever thought about what would happen if you were hit by another driver while driving a borrowed vehicle? Recovering damages in these situations, especially if you didn’t carry your own car insurance, can be complex and challenging.
Dallas auto accident attorneys can help you and the vehicle’s owner take the next steps if you were hit while driving someone else’s car in the Dallas, TX, area. After an auto accident, you and the car’s owner will have many questions that an experienced accident lawyer can help answer.
Who Pays for Damages After Being Hit While Driving Someone Else’s Vehicle?
Responsibility for damages can depend on the situation.
Several different factors can be involved, such as:
- Who was at fault for causing the accident
- The insurance company that is involved and its policy terms
- The type of insurance coverage that is available under the circumstances.
Responsibility for the accident is a critical factor, particularly if the other driver was negligent in their actions. If you were primarily at fault, the vehicle owner’s insurer might pay certain amounts of damages.
Proving liability in a car accident case requires a claimant to prove certain elements in a lawsuit, including:
- Duty of care. The other driver had a certain duty to drive with care and caution.
- Breach of duty. If the driver failed to exercise their duty of care, then a plaintiff can show a breach of duty.
- Causation. There must be a causal connection between the other driver’s conduct and the accident victim’s injuries.
- Damages. A claimant must show they suffered damages from the accident. These can include monetary damages such as medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and other financial costs. Non-monetary damages can include pain and suffering or other damages.
In situations where the damages are serious and exceed the other driver’s liability coverage, they can be personally liable for payment of damages.
The Insurance Policy and Terms
It is important to understand that insurance follows the vehicle, and coverage can extend to anyone with permission to drive the vehicle. Coverage policies are based on the vehicle and the need to repair or replace a car after a crash. Because car insurance centers around the car, coverage can extend to any driver with the authority to drive the vehicle.
Vehicle insurance generally includes a personal injury protection policy (PIP) that covers a car’s driver and passengers in the event of an accident. If you are a regular driver of someone else’s car, the owner should consider placing you under their insurance. If you were borrowing the car on a chance occasion or due to some need, there is less risk of a claim denial by the insurance company.
The Type of Insurance Coverage Available
If another driver caused the crash, it shouldn’t matter whether you owned the vehicle or not. The at-fault driver can be liable for damages due to the crash, and their insurance company can be required to pay damages up to the driver’s policy limits.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the situation becomes more complicated. It is possible that the owner of the vehicle you borrowed carries uninsured motorist coverage. If so, their policy can help cover damages if the liable driver is uninsured or underinsured. With this type of coverage, medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages can be covered through the car owner’s policy.
What To Do if the Other Driver Disputes Liability?
If it is uncertain who is liable for the car accident, reaching a settlement through an insurance policy can become a complex process. The other driver might claim you were at fault and seek payment through the insurance policy attached to your friend’s or family member’s vehicle.
In these situations, it always helps to consult a Dallas car accident lawyer with experience defending claims from other drivers and proving liability on the other driver’s end. After a devastating car accident, the last thing you want to deal with is a frivolous claim from the driver that caused the crash.
A Dallas Car Accident Lawyer Can Help if You Were Hit Driving Someone Else’s Car
If you were hit while driving someone else’s car, you should take action as quickly as possible and talk to a lawyer with experience in these situations. A Dallas car accident lawyer can help you each step of the way after a collision.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Dallas, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Dallas, Texas, and need legal help, contact our Dallas car accident lawyers at Jay Murray Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Jay Murray Personal Injury Lawyers
2512 State St,
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 855-1420
https://jaymurraylaw.com/
