If I borrowed a friend’s car with permission and was involved in an accident due to bad weather but it was insured for liability only, what is my responsibility?
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If I borrowed a friend’s car with permission and was involved in an accident due to bad weather but it was insured for liability only, what is my responsibility?
The car had to be written off; there were no other injuries. Now my friend wants me to pay for the cost of the car.
Asked on June 10, 2015 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Were you at fault? That's the real issue. If you were driving negligently, or carelessly, which would include driving too fast for the bad weather conditions, then you would be liable, or responsible for, the damage to the car--that is, you'd have to pay the then-current (as of the time of the accident) fair market or "blue book" value of the car. If you were not at fault--i.e. you were driving as carefully as any reasonable person would under those conditions--you would not be liable. Fault is what matters in situations like this.
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