What am I legally responsible to pay if I was driving a friend’s car and damages were occurred?
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What am I legally responsible to pay if I was driving a friend’s car and damages were occurred?
I was driving a friends vehicle, after she asked to use mine for more space. While I was driving her vehicle a semi tire exploded and hit the front end of the car. She does not want to claim it on her insurance and my insurance has come back saying they will not cover it because she has auto coverage. What am I legally responsible for paying? Her deductible? The amount that her insurance will not cover?
Asked on August 15, 2012 under Accident Law, Missouri
Answers:
Leigh Anne Timiney / Timiney Law Firm
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
I don't fully understand how the damage to her vehicle occurred. Were you responsible for the tire exploding that caused the damage to her vehicle? If you were responsible for the tire explosion, then you are responsible for whatever amount she is out of pocket for the repair to her vehicle. It is best for her to make a claim with her own insurance company and have the damage repaired. If she has any portion of the repair left uncovered, such as a deductible, that is what you are responsible for. However, if you are not responsible for the tire exploding, none of the damage is your fault and you should not pay for any of it. In that case, your friend should go after the person responsible for the explosion of the tire and seek recovery from them.
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