Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, and when you least expect them. For example, you may be borrowing the car of a friend or simply driving a rental vehicle for a short trip. Despite how careful and diligent of a driver you may be, accidents happen and often by no fault of your own but of the other driver’s carelessness. If you have been involved in a crash involving a borrowed car—whether you were hit while in a borrowed vehicle or vice versa—how does a borrowed car impact accident liability?
The aspect of accident liability can be a tricky and complex area, and this can be made even more obscure where there is a borrowed vehicle involved. It can be especially challenging to prove and obtain the full and fair financial compensations that you deserve to cover your losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages.
Fortunately, while a car accident involving a borrowed car can be complex, it is not impossible! An experienced Austin, Texas car accident attorney with experience in accidents involving borrowed cars will have the skills to explain to you the legal options available to you for financial compensation.
What’s In This Article
Borrowed Car Accidents
Here are a few important things you should know when it comes to being injured in a car accident involving a borrowed car:
- Generally, the owner of the car is responsible for paying claims under Texas Transportation Law, even if they were not driving their own vehicle at the time of the accident.
- If you are the injured victim in this case and the car owner does not have sufficient insurance to cover your losses, then you have additional options, including filing a lawsuit against the party or using your own insurance to cover the cost of your damages.
- If you are the owner of the borrowed car that was involved in the accident, the crash will be on your record even though you were not the driver. Additionally, you will be subject to higher insurance rates and at risk of being sued by the other party to cover damages.
Insurance Coverage in Borrowed Car Accidents
- Nonowner liability insurance: in cases where you are not the owner of a car that you are driving and borrowing on a regular basis, you can buy nonowner liability insurance to cover damages to others in the event of an accident. This option covers damage you cause to other people while driving a borrowed car. However, this insurance does not cover your own damages.
- Liability insurance: if you borrowed a car from a repair shop, you have the option of using liability insurance. If you are at fault for the accident, the liability insurance will pay for injuries to others. You should check what your liability coverage entails and its limitations.
- Car rental insurance: the car rental company may have insurance options, liability policies, and damage waivers that waive charges for damages. Another option is to have your own insurance policy cover the rental. Be sure to check that your company covers accidents while driving a rental vehicle.
- Uninsured vehicle: if you are the injured victim, the owner of the borrowed vehicle may be liable for everything. However, it will be challenging to prove fault, so a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer representing you can help you effectively file a claim. Additionally, an attorney can also assist you with filing claims with your own insurance company if needed. Furthermore, depending on the facts of your case, your skilled lawyer can also help you with your options where there was a hit and run or simply insufficient financial compensation from the other party to cover the cost of your damages.
- Familiarize with your own policy: In general, an important measure you can always take is to familiarize yourself without your own plan. Texas law requires your auto insurance policy to share your consumer bill of rights, which provides important details about your plan. An attorney can additionally help you navigate additional coverage options and how to put these to use.
Seek Legal Assistance
Where you are the injured party, navigating the challenges of an Austin accident involving a borrowed car is best done with an experienced and skilled Texas-licensed attorney on your side. Some of the specific ways that an attorney can help you include:
- Determining your damages: A skilled attorney can help you with the challenging task of accurately calculating the full and just amount of compensation to cover your losses.
- Obtaining documentation: An experienced Texas car accident attorney can help you by gathering and analyzing evidence and documentation that supports your case, such as photos and medical records. The category of non-economic damages can be challenging as there are different ways to calculate your pain and suffering. For example, your attorney may recommend keeping a journal to document your chronic pain and diminished quality of life.
- Representing You in Settlement Negotiations: Insurance companies invariably try to settle cases for as little as possible. Your lawyer can represent you in settlement negotiations and work to get you the full and fair value of your claim.
[LEARN MORE]:
- Can an Austin Driver Be Held Liable for a Crash Caused by a Poorly Maintained Vehicle?
- Can I Recover Compensation for a Single-Vehicle Accident in Austin, TX?
Speak to an Austin, Texas Personal Injury Attorney Today!
Experiencing a car accident involving a borrowed car can be especially confusing and stressful. If you have been injured in such an accident, you should be focused on recovering from your injuries and not the stress from the accident’s aftermath. If you are struggling with how to cover your losses and see the medical bills piling up, you need skilled and dedicated attorneys to fight by your side to help you recover fair and full financial compensation for damages caused by the other party.
Don’t delay! The committed personal injury attorneys at the Patel Firm are prepared to stand by your side and help you navigate the complex legal aspects of holding those accountable for your injuries. The best way to get started is to call (361) 400-2036 to schedule a free evaluation where we will discuss your case and the best legal options.
