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4 Situations When You May Be Liable for Another Driver – Insight from a Marietta Car Accident Lawyer

One of the first steps to take after a collision is to identify the liable parties. If you were injured in a crash, then a car accident attorney can help determine who was at fault.

Marietta Car Accident Attorney

 

If your injuries were the results of another driver’s negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and other damages. Although the at-fault party is easy to identify in certain cases, this is not always straightforward; in fact, the driver who allegedly caused the accident may not be the liable party, according to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, then contact the Crosson Law Group, L.L.C. A Marietta car accident lawyer can guide you through the claims process. Call us today at 678-909-0770 to schedule a consultation.

Until then, read on to learn four situations when third parties may be liable for accidents involving other drivers:

  1. Allowing Employees to Drive

Georgia courts often hold employers liable when employees drive negligently on the job and cause accidents. If injured parties sue for damages, then the employer may be responsible if he or she authorized the employee to drive the vehicle for work-related purposes. When hiring drivers to do a specific job, it is imperative that you perform detailed background checks into any prior driving incidents.

  1. Allowing Other People to Drive Your Vehicle

If you lend your car to another person, then you take responsibility for any accidents that he or she may cause. The law does not require a relationship between the driver and the owner; instead, it considers the relationship the same as that between employers and employees.

  1. Allowing Your Children to Drive

While it is important to teach your kids how to drive, it is safer to entrust a driving school with this responsibility. Parents are liable for any collisions their children cause in the family car, regardless of whether the parents are present at the time. These two theories will help explain the legalities:

Family Purpose Doctrine

Georgia law determines liability according to the family purpose doctrine. This means that if you buy a car for the family to use, you are liable for any family member’s negligent actions while driving that car.

Negligent Entrustment

When parents allow minors to drive, they are taking responsibility for any accidents that may arise. This is because parents know that minors are inexperienced and possibly reckless. In the event of a car wreck, injured parties can sue the parents for resulting damages. When determining liability, courts typically refer to the “inexperienced” part of this clause.

  1. Allowing Unfit or Incompetent Drivers to Use Your Vehicle

As with giving your keys to an inexperienced child, negligent entrustment can hold you responsible for the actions of an incompetent driver. It is illegal for unfit drivers to operate a vehicle, and if their negligence causes a car accident, then the owner may be responsible for any damages. Do not give your keys to unlicensed or underage drivers, those that will be drinking and driving, or those who are too sick or elderly to drive safely.

If you were injured due to another driver’s negligence, then it may be difficult to identify all liable parties. A car accident attorney can help. Call the Crosson Law Group, L.L.C. at 678-909-0770 to schedule a consultation.