What to Do If Someone Else Causes an Accident While Driving Your Car?
2 Answers
If the main party responsible for the traffic accident is the direct liable person, the car owner bears supplementary liability under corresponding circumstances. If the borrower has a valid driving qualification and the car owner is not at fault, the borrower should bear full responsibility.
That day my friend took my car out for a spin and ended up hitting the guardrail. When I got the call at home, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. But as the car owner, I had to stay calm and handle it properly: first, I told my friend to stop in a safe spot, turn on the hazard lights, and set up the warning triangle. If anyone was injured, we’d call 120 for emergency help immediately, then dial 122 to report the accident and wait for the police. Once the police arrived, I cooperated with the documentation process, obtained the accident liability determination form, and made sure to take photos of the vehicle damage and the scene as evidence. Next, I contacted my car insurance company to file a claim, describing the situation with my friend driving and asking about the claims process—since the car is mine, insurance usually covers it, but it depends on the liability assessment. Afterwards, I didn’t delay getting the car repaired and took it to a trusted shop for a full inspection and fixes to prevent any hidden issues. This experience made me reflect on the high risks of lending out my car, so next time I’ll only lend it to friends with solid driving skills. The whole process emphasized safety first, taking it step by step without panicking.
