What to do if I loaned my car to a woman who only had a permit and she had an accident?

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What to do if I loaned my car to a woman who only had a permit and she had an accident?

She didn’t tell me she was going to drive at night or with passengers. She got into a bad accident and destroyed the car and some people got injured. My insurance is already maxed out on the payment. Could I be liable? The woman was 20 years old and aware that she wasn’t allowed to drive but I wasn’t.

Asked on October 1, 2012 under Accident Law, California

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Yes, you could be liable: the driver of a car is liable for the actions of those people whom he or she allows to drive his or her car. You in turn, if sued, could sue this woman to recover the money (assuming she has it), for her actions in driving when she was not allowed to drive; not telling uou about her limitations; and also, if applicable, her negligence or carelesseness in how she drove.


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