Mark Casto | November 25, 2024 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus Georgia
Allowing someone else to drive your car is usually a harmless favor. But what happens if someone else drives your car and they get into an accident in Georgia? Whether it is a family member borrowing your car or a friend being behind the wheel, understanding the legal and financial implications of an accident is important.
Insurance Coverage
Many people wonder whether car insurance covers the car or the driver. Car insurance in Georgia typically follows the vehicle, not the driver. This means your auto insurance policy is usually the first line of defense if someone else gets into an accident while driving your car, regardless of who was behind the wheel. This includes liability coverage for injuries or property damage they cause and collision coverage to pay for damage to your vehicle. However, there are two key considerations:
- Permissive use: Your insurance policy will generally cover the accident if the person driving your vehicle had your explicit or implied permission to do so. Implied permission could include situations with family members who frequently use your car with your knowledge and approval.
- Excluded drivers: Excluded drivers are people who have been explicitly excluded from coverage under your car insurance policy. Their name will show as “excluded,” and they will not be insured to drive any vehicles on the policy. If the person driving your car is excluded, your insurance will not cover the accident.
It’s important to understand these key factors to ensure you’re properly protected.
Liability for Damages if Someone Else Driving Your Car Gets in An Accident
Georgia is an “at-fault” state. This means that the driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages. If the person driving your car is at fault for negligence, the following scenarios can apply:
- Your insurance pays first: Your insurance policy is typically considered the primary coverage since car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. This means your liability insurance will likely step in to cover damages up to your policy limits, even if you have an uninsured driver driving an insured car.
- The driver’s insurance may be secondary: The driver’s personal auto insurance may step in as secondary coverage if their liability for damages exceeds your policy limits. This will depend on whether the person driving your car has a policy.
- Out-of-pocket liability: You may be personally responsible for additional accident costs if neither your insurance nor the driver’s is sufficient to cover the damages, especially if the injured parties decide to sue. Your chance of having some liability for the accident will depend on whether the person borrowing your car was at fault and whether you knew they were unfit to drive under a theory of negligent entrustment.
A Columbus car accident lawyer can help you evaluate liability issues after a car accident. They can help you gather accident reports, photographs, and other evidence.
Can You Insure Someone Else’s Car in Georgia?
Auto insurance is designed to cover the vehicle and its legal owner. To insure a car, you must have an insurable interest in it. This means that you must have a financial stake in the vehicle or stand to suffer a loss if the car is damaged or destroyed. Insurance companies are unlikely to issue a policy in your name if you do not have an insurable interest in the vehicle.
Did Someone Driving Your Car Get Into An Accident? Contact A Columbus Car Accident Lawyer Today
Letting others drive our cars is common, but it carries potential risks. If you let someone else drive your car and get into an accident in Georgia, your auto insurance will be the first line of defense and compensation for damages. It is always wise to review your insurance policy to understand the coverage limits and exclusions that may apply. If you or a loved one was injured, schedule a free consultation with a Columbus car accident lawyer with Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm today.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus car accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808, Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030