Annually, over 500 people are killed in traffic collisions in Maryland, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, around 50,000 people in Maryland are injured in crashes each year, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. If you are involved in a crash, particularly if you are in someone else’s car, you likely have questions about your rights to compensation and, if you believe you were partially or fully at fault, you probably have questions about who will pay for the other party’s damages. Here is what you need to know if you’re involved in a car accident in someone else’s car.
If You Are Found at-Fault For Causing The Crash
If you are found at-fault for causing an accident, the policy of the car-owner will be used first to compensate the injured victim. For example, if you were borrowing your friend’s car, with permission, your friend’s auto policy will kick in first. After that, your own driver’s insurance policy will cover what is left over if the claim is for an amount that exceeds your friend’s policy limit.
When You Are Not at-Fault for Causing The Crash
In the event that you are injured and found not responsible for causing the accident—the other party was found at-fault—you will not be liable for paying property damage or any other damages to the other party or the owner of the car you were driving. Instead, the other party will be liable for paying the following:
- Your medical expenses;
- Your future medical expenses;
- Your pain and suffering;
- Your emotional distress;
- Your scarring or disfigurement;
- Your lost wages; and
- The property damage caused to the vehicle you were borrowing, which will go to the owner of that vehicle.
Proving negligence can be difficult, as the other party may blame you, even if they know they were at fault. Moreover, the other party’s insurance company will do all that it can to show fault in your driving behaviors, or to diminish the value of your claim.
Contributory Negligence
Sometimes, accidents are caused because both parties were disobeying traffic laws. In such circumstances, neither party would be entitled to a recovery from the other. In Maryland, if you are even 1% responsible for the accident or are contributory, you will likely not receive any recovery from the insurance company or the other party.
Reach Out to a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you are involved in a car accident in someone else’s car, your damages following the collision may include medical bills, lost incomes and wages, pain and suffering, loss of joy in life, and more. A personal injury attorney can likely assist in recovering these damages for you. The experienced Maryland car accident attorneys with Frame & Frame can help you seek this compensation. Call us today at 410-255-0373 to schedule a free consultation.
Resources:
mva.maryland.gov/safety/mhso/Benchmark-Reports/StatewideBR-18May06-19.pdf
cdan.nhtsa.gov/SASStoredProcess/guest