You know about the popularity of rideshare apps such as Lyft and Uber. Did you know that a rapidly growing number of Americans have turned to the rideshare model to make a little extra cash? All over the country, people run side businesses based on lending out their vehicles.
The biggest issue for the car borrowing business model is how to deal with an insurance claim after an accident while driving someone else’s car.
One of the costliest and potentially deadliest types of vehicle accidents involves multiple cars. Not only is it difficult to determine the cause of the crash, it gets even harder when one of the drivers hit several other vehicles while driving someone else’s car. One of the first things on a car owner’s to do list is to contact a liability lawyer to make sense of state law and different auto insurance policies.
Damages Generated by a Multiple Car Accident
One of the unique and dangerous features of a multiple vehicle crash is except for the first two accident victims, every other car sits still when another car hits it. Stationary vehicles are susceptible to incurring significant damage. A car moving at 40 miles per hour that rams into a stationary vehicle is capable of totaling the stationary car. Personal injuries are also a serious matter in multi-car pile ups. Broken bones, head contusions, and bruised ribs are just a few of the possible injuries caused by a multiple vehicle crash
Which Party is Responsible for Auto Insurance Coverage?
The answer to this question is a big “It depends.” Some states have addressed auto accident cases that involve at least one person driving someone else’s vehicle. Insurance companies develop specific language within their policies that answer the question “Which party is responsible for auto insurance coverage.”
Generally speaking, the owner of the car takes care of insurance claims for an accident involving his or her car. If the owner granted permission to a friend or a family member to run an errand, and the friend or family member gets in a crash, then the owner of the vehicle is responsible for filing a claim.
Things become less clear when it involves a driver that contracts to drive someone else’s vehicle. The contract can include language that makes the driver fully responsible for all insurance claims. On the other hand, the driver of someone else’s car might request he or she take care of liability insurance coverage, and pass on the responsibility of collision coverage to the owner of the car.
Handling an Auto Accident the Right Way
Regardless of who is responsible for filing an insurance claim, the driver involved in a multiple vehicle crash must take immediate action to ensure the claim persuades the insurer to cover most, if not all the costs associated with accident. Multiple car wrecks require the presence of law enforcement not only to direct traffic, but also to collect information that goes on the official police report. No other document does a better job of convincing insurers more than an official police report.
As soon as possible after a multiple car crash, contact your auto insurance company to put the company on notice that you are about to submit a claim.
Your attorney works hard to obtain the evidence that supports your liability insurance claim. He or she also organizes medical documents like bills and diagnostic records. Schedule a free initial consultation today with a state licensed liability lawyer.
