can the registered owner of a vehicle be held responsible for an accident while another person was driving
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can the registered owner of a vehicle be held responsible for an accident while another person was driving
just a hypothetical question
Asked on May 23, 2009 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Yes the registered owner can be held liable. The tort doctrine known as "vicarious liability" imposes responsibility upon one person for the failure of another, with whom the person has a special relationship (such as the owner of a vehicle and the driver), to exercise such care as a reasonably prudent person would use under similar circumstances.
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Hypothetically, yes indeed, if the driver had the car with the owner's knowledge or permission.
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