If you’re involved in a car accident while driving someone else’s car, your first instinct will probably be to panic. However, staying calm is the best thing you can do in this situation. After all, there are certain things that need to be done if you want to ensure that the accident doesn’t have any long-term consequences for you and the other driver.
What steps do you need to take? Do you know who is responsible for the damage? What if the accident was your fault? If you’re here because it has already happened to you and you’re wondering what to do, we’ll walk you through the steps to take if you’re involved in a car accident while driving someone else’s car.
How do you deal with hitting someone’s car?
If you’re in an accident and you hit someone else’s car, your first priority should be the safety of everyone involved. If anyone is injured, call 911 for help. If the accident is minor and everyone is okay, move your vehicles to a safe location, and exchange insurance information with the other driver. This will include your name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number and the name and address of the car owner of the vehicle.
You should also take photos of the accident scene, take note of any visible damage to both cars, and write down the make, model and license plate number of the other car. If the accident is anything more than a minor fender bender, you should call the police.
Finally, you should notify your own auto insurance provider (if you have one) that you were involved in an accident while driving someone else’s car.
What happens if I am not listed on the insurance?
The first step to take is calling the other party’s insurance company to report the accident and take note of the name of the representative who you spoke to. Then, you should get in touch with the car owner and let them know that you hit their car and that the other driver’s insurance company is trying to find them.
If the car owner has their own car insurance policy, you’ll need to provide them with the information of the other driver’s insurance company.
It is important to also note that if you are not listed on the insurance, you may be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur as a result of the accident. This means that you could be sued for damages and may have to pay out of pocket for any expenses associated with the accident. You also may not be able to recover any damages from the other driver if you are not listed on the insurance policy.
Who is responsible for damages?
If you are involved in a car accident while driving someone else’s car, it’s important to understand who will be responsible for the damages.
If you’re involved in a car accident while driving someone else’s car with their permission, the responsibility for damages falls on the owner of the car. This is regardless of who was at fault in the accident. In some cases, the owner of the car may try to hold you liable for the damages, so it’s important to be aware of your rights and take necessary steps to protect yourself. If you’re contacted by the owner of the car, be sure to seek legal counsel to understand your rights and what steps you need to take next.
On the other hand, if you borrow a friend’s car without their permission, you may be regarded a non-permissive user, and you will be held liable for any damages. If you have collision insurance, you can use it to pay for the repairs.
Will the Vehicle Owner’s Insurance Policy Cover My Damages?
If the car that you hit was owned by someone else and they have full insurance coverage, there’s a very good chance that their insurance policy will cover whatever damage you caused, but there are a few exceptions. For example, if you were driving the car without the owner’s permission or if you were driving the car under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then the policy may not cover your damages. It’s always best to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer to determine who is responsible for your losses. At Greenberg & Stein, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
What will insurance cover?
If you were at fault for the accident, or or it is unclear who is at fault, your car insurance policy and that of the car owner will likely cover the cost of repairs to the other car. They will also cover any medical expenses incurred by any person involved in the accident, as well as any towing fees and repair services.
This depends on the circumstances of the crash and the kind of insurance coverage at issue. Even if it’s just your car and not someone else’s, cases involving disputed liability can become complex legal challenges. For that reason, you should consider consulting with a Greenberg & Stein car accident lawyer who can make sure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
It’s important to always be aware of who is driving your car—you don’t want to end up in an awkward situation where you’re not sure who’s responsible for the accident. If you’re the one driving someone else’s car, be sure to ask about their insurance policy beforehand so you know what to expect in the event of an accident.
How to report an accident when you’re not the driver?
Regardless of whose fault the accident was, you’ll need to report it to the police and exchange information with the other driver. You should also take note of any visible damage to both vehicles and take photos of the accident scene.
You should then call the vehicle’s owner and let them know that you were involved in an accident. Please note you should also provide your insurance company with the information of any other driver involved in the accident.
That’s everything! Hopefully, you’ll never have to experience the stress of being involved in an accident while driving someone else’s vehicle. But if you do, remember to be calm, follow all legal rules, and work with all parties involved as much as possible.
Conclusion:
When you’re driving someone else’s car, it’s important to know what to do in the event of an accident. If you’re not listed on the insurance, you may be responsible for the damages, and if the owner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover your damages, you may need to take additional steps.
If you find yourself in a similar scenario, the personal injury attorneys at Greenberg & Stein can help. Call our office today to take advantage of our experience resolving similar cases.
