Did you know that if you allow someone to borrow your car in Florida, you are 100% liable for all of the injuries and damages that they cause? Thanks to Florida’s “Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine” an owner or co-owner of a vehicle is responsible for all of the damages caused by anyone they allow use their vehicle. It doesn’t matter that you were or were not in the car at the time of the crash or whether the driver you allowed to borrow your car had their own insurance or their own car. You, as the vehicle owner, assume all responsibility for all damages caused by the driver when you loan your vehicle to them to drive. To make matters worse, your insurance may not pay for the damages depending on the exact circumstances of the crash. For example, if the driver was a family member who you failed to disclose lives with you, your insurance company may not pay for the damages to the other vehicle or person involved and could even deny your claim to repair your own vehicle after the crash. Our advice at Florida Injury Attorney is to always disclose all of the people who are of driving age or who have drivers licenses and who live with you, whether or not they are related by blood or marriage.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Florida and need legal representation, call Florida Injury Attorneys at 1-855-342-7297. Main office in Clearwater but we proudly serve the entire State of Florida.