What happens if you have an accident while driving someone else’s car in Indiana? The answer depends on several factors. For example, if the car’s owner gave you permission to operate their vehicle, their insurance may have to cover the expenses caused by the wreck.
An Indiana car accident lawyer from Vaughan & Vaughan can review your specific situation to provide more information about the legalities surrounding the wreck. Learn more about what to do after an accident in someone else’s vehicle by calling or filling out our online contact form.
What Happens Immediately After an Accident with Someone Else’s Car?
If you have an accident while driving someone else’s car, make sure that you stop your vehicle in a safe place. Leaving the accident scene can result in hit-and-run charges in Indiana. After stopping your vehicle, you should call the police.
Notifying the police allows them to report the accident, demonstrating that it happened. You should also get contact information from other drivers and witnesses. You may also require medical care for your injuries.
Additionally, you can contact a personal injury lawyer to help you with the next legal steps following a wreck.
What Happens with Insurance If You Wreck While Driving Someone Else’s Car?
Generally, the insurance liability falls on the vehicle’s owner after a wreck in Indiana. Therefore, if you cause an accident while driving someone else’s car with their permission, their insurance may have to cover any expenses associated with the wreck.
Indiana requires drivers to carry insurance before operating a vehicle. Individuals who own vehicles may carry:
- Bodily injury liability coverage
- Property damage liability coverage
- Collision and comprehensive coverage
The owner of the car may also have uninsured and underinsured driver insurance coverage, which could apply if you get into an accident while driving.
However, your insurance may have to cover the losses if the driver excluded you from coverage through their insurance company. Furthermore, if someone else caused the accident, the liable party’s insurance may have to cover your losses.
What Happens If You Borrow a Car and do Not Have Insurance?
If you borrow a car and cause an accident, things can become more complicated if you do not have motor vehicle insurance. The car’s owner may still have to cover the expenses unless they exclude you from insurance coverage.
However, if the costs associated with the accident exceed their insurance coverage, you may have to cover the rest of the expenses out of pocket. Note that this only applies if you caused the wreck.
Can You Get Compensation If You Have an Accident in Someone Else’s Car?
You may have a chance to secure compensation to cover your losses if someone else caused a wreck while you were driving someone else’s car. In this situation, your attorney could help you seek funds to cover your:
Medical Expenses in Indiana
Drivers in car accidents in Indiana can sustain serious injuries. You may face a concussion, whiplash, broken bones, or internal injuries. Fortunately, your attorney can help you seek funds to cover your:
- Emergency medical costs
- Time spent in the hospital
- Medical tests and procedures
- Physical therapy and medications
We understand the high costs of medical care in Indiana and take your losses seriously.
Lost Wages in Indiana
Seriously injuries can prevent you from quickly returning to work after a collision in Indiana. In this situation, your lawyer can bring you funds to cover your lost pay, including lost raises and bonuses.
Sometimes, a lawyer can help you secure funds for your lost earning potential if a wreck leaves you with long-term disabilities.
Pain and Suffering in Indiana
Finally, a car accident lawyer in Indiana can help you seek funds to cover your mental anguish and emotional pain after a wreck that occurs while you’re driving someone else’s vehicle. We understand these non-economic losses and can help you secure funds for them.
Will You Get a Ticket If You Have an Accident While Driving Someone Else’s Car?
Generally, you can legally drive another person’s car as long as you have your license and permission to get behind the wheel. However, you may still end up with a ticket if you broke the rules of the road when causing the accident.
Individuals may also receive a ticket if they take someone else’s vehicle without permission and drive it, especially if they end up in an accident.
If someone else caused your collision through reckless or dangerous behavior, they may receive a ticket and other legal penalties. Drivers often cause wrecks by speeding, driving distracted, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
How Long does It Take to Resolve Accidents Involving Someone Else’s Car?
Indiana has a statute of limitations for car accident cases, including those involving drivers operating another person’s vehicle. Generally, you’ll have to handle your claim within two years of the accident.
Waiting too long to seek legal help from a car accident lawyer can allow the court system to throw out your request for compensation.
Remember that most lawyers handle car wreck claims on a contingency basis, meaning you’ll only have to pay legal fees once they resolve your claim in Indiana.
Speak to Us If You Have an Accident While Driving Someone Else’s Car
What happens if you have an accident while driving someone else’s car? In this situation, the car owner’s insurance may cover the losses. In other situations, the individual at-fault for the wreck may cover the expenses.
You can learn more about how to handle this situation with our team at Vaughan & Vaughan. Call or complete our online contact form to get started.
