Accidents While Driving Someone Else's Car

It is not uncommon for a person to borrow a car from a friend or family member to run a quick errand or take a more extended drive. Although most people operating someone else’s car will drive carefully, even the safest drivers cannot always avoid a collision. When guest drivers are involved in accidents, they may be uncertain of their options for seeking damages. If you were injured in an accident while driving someone else’s car, the Cape Cod car accident attorneys of the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, can assess the circumstances surrounding your accident and advise you of the potential redress available for your injuries. Our lawyers have been helping injured people seek justice in Massachusetts courts for a collective total of over fifteen decades, and we have a record of recovering multiple multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for the parties we represent.

Following a car accident, you may wonder if you can recover any damages for your injuries if the accident occurred while you were driving another person’s car. A lawyer will consider a range of factors in answering this question, including which parties caused the accident and what insurance coverage is available from the other drivers or car owners.

If another party caused the accident, you might be able to recover damages from that party in a civil lawsuit. In many respects, a lawsuit arising out of an accident in a borrowed car is similar to any other car accident lawsuit in Massachusetts. A plaintiff must prove that the other driver owed the plaintiff a duty to act with due care, the defendant acted or failed to act in a way that represents a breach of the duty, and the breach caused the accident. For example, if the defendant turned without the right of way and caused a collision, the plaintiff may argue that the inappropriate turn was a breach of the duty to drive safely and that it caused the accident. The plaintiff must also show he or she suffered actual harm, such as a physical injury, as a result of the accident. Damages recoverable in a car accident lawsuit include the cost of medical treatment, compensation for lost wages, and damages for the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

If you are deemed at fault for an accident that occurred while driving someone else’s car, you may still be able to recover benefits for your harm. Generally, in Massachusetts car insurance follows the car and not the driver. In other words, an automobile insurance policy generally provides certain benefits for a person driving the car with the owner’s permission, unless the policy explicitly excludes coverage for the person. Benefits recoverable include compensation for medical bills, but the benefits recoverable will vary depending on whether you are covered by health insurance as well. You may also be able to recover benefits for any lost wages if you could not work following the accident. Lastly, you may be able to recover benefits for replacement services, which are expenses you incur for paying someone to complete tasks and services you would normally undertake yourself but cannot perform due to your injuries.

Car accidents can arise under a variety of circumstances, and when they occur while a person is driving a borrowed car it is not always clear who should be held accountable for any damages suffered. If you were involved in an accident while driving someone else’s car, it is advisable to seek legal advice regarding your rights. At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, our dedicated personal injury lawyers are experienced at handling complicated matters, and we will aggressively advocate on your behalf. We proudly uphold a record of successful outcomes, including many verdicts and settlements in excess of one million dollars. We regularly represent injured parties in lawsuits throughout Cape Cod, and we are available for consultations in Plymouth and Hyannis. We can be reached through our form online or at (888) 262-6664 to set up a consultation. Nós Falamos Português.