Car accidents can already be confusing, but things can feel even more complicated when the person who hit you wasn’t driving their own car.
Maybe they borrowed a friend’s car for the afternoon. Maybe they were driving a family member’s vehicle. Either way, one of the first questions you may have is: Whose insurance is responsible for the accident?
The answer depends on the circumstances, but being hit by someone driving a borrowed vehicle does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation.
Whose Insurance Covers a Borrowed Car Accident?
When someone has permission to drive another person’s vehicle, there may be more than one insurance policy to consider.
Depending on the policies and circumstances involved, coverage may be available through the insurance policy covering the vehicle, the driver’s own insurance policy, or potentially other sources of coverage.
That’s why it’s important not to assume there is no coverage simply because the person who caused the accident doesn’t own the car.
What If the Driver Wasn’t Supposed to Be Driving the Car?
This can make things more complicated.
If the vehicle owner says the driver didn’t have permission to use the car, the insurance company may dispute whether its policy provides coverage. Other issues can also arise if the driver was specifically excluded from the policy or if the vehicle was taken without permission.
These situations often require a closer look at the insurance policies and the facts surrounding how the driver got the vehicle.
What If There Isn’t Enough Insurance?
Sometimes the available liability insurance isn’t enough to cover all of the damages caused by a serious accident.
If that happens, there may be other sources of recovery to investigate, including uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, depending on the policies involved.
This becomes especially important when an accident causes significant medical bills, lost wages, or serious injuries.
What Should You Do After the Accident?
If someone driving a borrowed car hits you, handle the immediate aftermath much like you would any other accident. Call the police, document the scene if you can, get the driver’s information, and make sure you also get information about the owner of the vehicle.
If you’re injured, seek medical attention and keep records of your medical treatment, expenses, missed work, and communications with insurance companies.
And before accepting a settlement, make sure you understand what insurance coverage may actually be available.
Hit by Someone Driving Someone Else’s Car? We Can Help.
Accidents involving borrowed vehicles can quickly turn into questions about multiple drivers, vehicle owners, and insurance policies. You shouldn’t have to figure all of that out on your own.
At Cueria Law Injury Lawyers, we can investigate the accident, identify potential sources of insurance coverage, and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Louisiana, contact us for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and there’s no fee unless we win.
