What happens if someone gets in an accident driving your car?

A person takes a risk when he lets someone drive his vehicle. The owner remains responsible for the vehicle’s activity while someone else operates it. If the person gets in an accident, the vehicle owner and the insurance provider may have to compensate the accident victim. Pennsylvania has more than 12 million registered vehicles and over 9 million licensed drivers. The state’s roadways and highways also contain motorists and motor vehicles from other states, increasing daily automobile presence.  

Many people with driver’s licenses drive cars titled and insured in their names. However, some motorists drive vehicles that belong to someone else when they get permission from the owners. Whether the automobile a motorist operates is their own or someone else’s, they must follow the state traffic laws. However, car accidents still happen even when drivers try to be cautious. Some car collisions are minor fender benders, while other crashes may cause severe damages as well as life-threatening injuries or death. In 2020, Pennsylvania reported approximately 104,000 traffic accidents with over 60,000 injured people and a little over 1,100 deaths. If a person driving your car is at fault or the victim of a car accident, you may be held liable for the injuries and damages that arise from the crash.

Pennsylvania law requires vehicles registered in the state to have motor vehicle insurance for accident coverage of property damage and injuries to others. The insurance policy must have the minimum amount limits of:

  • $15,000 for injury to one person in one accident;
  • $30,000 total for two or more people in one accident; and
  • $5,000 for property damage to another’s property in one accident.  

The insurance covers the named insured, which are individuals listed by name in the policy. The coverage also includes spouses or relatives that reside in the household of the named insureds. The person you let drive your car may not fall into these categories. However, your insurance policy may contain a clause that provides coverage for drivers you permit to drive your vehicle.

When the permissive driver is at fault for causing a car accident, the driver who is not at fault may file a liability claim against the vehicle owner’s insurance policy. The victim driver may seek damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The car owner’s mandatory property damage liability coverage also pays for the victim’s vehicle damage. If the claimant’s property and bodily injury damages exceed the vehicle owner’s policy limits, it is the responsibility of the permissive driver to pay the balance.

If the permissive driver is the accident victim, they may sue the at-fault driver for their injuries and damages. Unfortunately, the at-fault driver may not have car insurance. Therefore, the permissive driver may have an uninsured motor vehicle claim against the vehicle owner’s insurance. When an at-fault driver has insurance, but the policy limits do not cover all of the permissive driver’s damages, the driver may file an underinsured motorist coverage claim with the vehicle owner’s insurance. In Pennsylvania, uninsured and underinsured motor vehicle coverages are optional and additional to the mandatory state insurance requirements.

Other Car Accident FAQs:

Practice Areas

Get Your Case Evaluation Today for FREE

(215) 227-2727

EMAIL US

TOLL FREE:
(866)-907-2231

NO RECOVERY, NO FEE. GUARANTEED.

Our record of success

Over $500 Million Recovered

$2.0 Million

Truck Accident

$6.75 Million

ATV Accident

$1.125 Million

Car Accident

View all Case Results

From our Clients

See more testimonials

I would not have been able to achieve the results and reach the settlement that I was awarded without the legal representation of My Philly Lawyer. Thank you Dean and Frank and your entire team.

Darnell B

My Philly Lawyer represented me for an auto accident. The entire process was a pleasure. I was more than satisfied with the outcome. During a normally stressful time, I was put at ease by the entire staff at My Philly Lawyer and I won’t hesitate to have them represent me again.

Craig R.

MyPhillyLawyer absolutely the best in Philadelphia. Dean, Joshua and Deana are the best and they will get you the results you deserve! I’m so grateful and appreciative for their assistance and support!

Hass M.

My experience with MyPhilly lawyer has been wonderful. There is nothing better than feeling like the team is on your side. The staff has always taken my calls , no matter what time. I’m extremely grateful for MyPhilly lawyer.

Corynna M.

I highly recommend Dean Weitzman. He was empathetic and listened carefully to the impact the accident had upon my physical and mental health. I believe he negotiated the very best settlement he could have gotten.

Christina R.

Their team is absolutely amazing and is there to help you every step of the way. I would highly recommend them, they know there stuff and will do what it takes to help their clients.

Brittany M.