What to do if I own the motorcycle but a friend smashed it and now they trying to come after me for hospital bills?
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What to do if I own the motorcycle but a friend smashed it and now they trying to come after me for hospital bills?
There was no insuraance; he took it without permission.
Asked on August 21, 2012 under Accident Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
Leigh Anne Timiney / Timiney Law Firm
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Generally when a vehicle is involved in an accident, both the driver of the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle, if they are different people, are held legally responsible for damages that are a result of the accident, including personal injury. Sometimes the owner of the vehicle is help responsible using the theory of "negligent entrustment" meaning you loaned your vehicle negligently to a person who caused an accident. The only real argument you have here against liability is the fact that your friend took the vehicle without your knowlede or permission. However, that is not going to stop the injured parties from bringing an action against you for their damages, however you could use the argument to try and reduce the amount of liability you have.
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