What to Do if Another Person Is Driving Your Car and Crashes

Most of us have done this at some point in our lives. A friend or family member approaches you and borrows your car to run some errands or for other purposes, maybe for a few hours or days. And then you hand over the car keys, hoping nothing goes wrong. But what do you do when you get a call out of nowhere informing you that the person has been involved in a car accident?

Sometimes, the scenario might be different. For instance, you might be in your car, but then you’re not the one driving. What happens if you get in a collision in this instance?

In Texas, someone else crashing your car may uncover different situations depending on the circumstances leading to the accident, who is at fault, and the injuries and damages the accident causes. Nevertheless, your first line of defense is contacting a skilled Texas car accident lawyer as soon as you learn about the accident for help understanding your available legal options.

Texas Car Insurance Laws

In the Lone Star State, all car owners and drivers are required by the law to carry minimum coverage, which includes:

• At least $30,000 in bodily harm liability per person and at least $60,000 to cover injury damages for a single accident
• A minimum of $25,000 for property damage liability

According to preference and for additional protection, policyholders in TX may opt for underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.

Typically, when an insurance policyholder gets involved in an accident and is the one at fault, their insurance coverage takes over and covers the other driver’s and passengers’ damages. This is more or less the same no matter who was driving the vehicle, provided they had verbal, written, or implied consent from the car owner. In other words, car insurance policy in Texas follows the vehicle rather than the owner.

What to Do When the Driver With Your Car Isn’t the One At Fault

If your friend or family member driving your car during the accident is not at fault for the accident, but rather the other motorist involved in the accident is, you’ll file the car accident claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. In Texas, this is called a third-party insurance claim, and it will be responsible for covering any medical expenses for those inside your car during the crash and any property damage.

Consult Dale R. Rose: The Best Texas Car Accident Attorney

Learning about an accident involving your car in Texas when you’re not the one driving may throw you into a bit of confusion on what to do next. To overcome the uncertainty and avoid doing something wrong, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Dale R. Rose hopes to help amidst this mix-up. Dale has practiced personal injury law for over three decades and has dealt with dozens of cases similar to yours. Book your free initial consultation today by filling out our contact form or calling (972) 634-ROSE (7673).