Chicago Auto Accident Attorneys
Representing Clients in Auto Accident Cases When Driving another Person’s Car
As the most common type of motor vehicle accident, auto accidents frequently result in disputes with insurance companies and personal injury lawsuits regarding liability for injuries or damages. The legal issues involved with auto accident liability are further complicated when the auto accident involved a driver who was driving another person’s car.
When the negligent driver was driving another person’s car, issues of vicarious liability can come into play and it is important to consult with a knowledgeable auto accident attorney like the Chicago auto accident attorneys at Ankin Law. Our Chicago auto accident attorneys focus on representing clients who have been in serious motor vehicle accidents and auto accidents that involve complex legal issues, including negligent motorists who were driving another person’s car at the time of the accident.
What Is Vicarious Liability?
Vicarious liability is a legal principle that may attach responsibility to the vehicle’s owner for any injuries or damages caused in an auto accident even if the vehicle’s owner was not the driver of the car. Some common scenarios in which a vehicle owner may be held liable for injuries and damages even if he or she was not driving include the following:
- Employer who asks an employee to use his or her car for a business purpose.
- The vehicle owner knows that the driver is incompetent, reckless, or unlicensed and allows him or her to driver the vehicle, nonetheless.
- The vehicle owner knows that the vehicle is defective by allows the driver to use the car anyway.
Insurance Issues
If you have been involved in a car accident of any kind, you will inevitably have to deal with insurance companies – both your insurance and the insurance company of the other driver. Unfortunately, insurance policies often include a number of complex and complicated legal provisions that can be difficult to understand and navigate if you have been the victim of an auto accident. Moreover, the negligent driver’s insurance company may not want to settle the claim for the amount you deserve.
If the negligent driver was driving another person’s car, there may be issues regarding whether the insurance company of the driver or the owner is liable for damages. At Ankin Law, our experienced Chicago car accident attorneys are well-versed in auto insurance policies and their complexities and nuances. We understand the unique legal issues that come into play when the negligent driver was not the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident, and we will advocate on your behalf with all of the insurance companies involved. If the negligent driver or vehicle owner is uninsured or underinsured, we will help you proceed with a claim against your own insurance company under the uninsured motorist provision.
Free Consultation
As with any auto accident, it is important to act quickly to protect your legal rights. If you have been in an auto accident in which the negligent driver was not the owner of the car, do not hesitate to contact Ankin Law at (800) 442-6546 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Chicago, Illinois car accident attorneys so that we can begin working on your car accident case immediately.