What to Do If Someone Else Causes an Accident While Driving Your Car?

[DelilahRose]

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.

[AvaMarie]

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.

[StEvangeline]

I've experienced someone else driving my car and getting into an accident. Priority is ensuring on-site safety: have the driver stop the vehicle securely, set up warning signs, and prioritize handling any injured parties. Then call the police to determine liability, and I'll cooperate by providing vehicle information. The critical moment is contacting the auto insurance company to file a claim—they'll send someone to inspect, simplifying the process. When a friend is driving, the insurance remains valid, but you must check if their driver's license is valid, otherwise the claim may be denied. After the accident, getting the car repaired quickly is essential—I took it to a 4S shop to prevent corrosion. Liability and compensation were discussed and shared with my friend. I always remind myself to verify a friend's driving experience before lending my car to reduce accident risks—overall safety comes first.

[McMila]

My car got into an accident after I lent it to a friend. I was extremely nervous at that moment. I immediately told my friend to pull over safely, call the police, take photos, and contact the insurance company. The claim went smoothly, and after receiving the compensation, the car was repaired. The lesson learned is to be very careful when choosing who to lend your car to.

[OBrooke]

When someone else crashed my car, I handled it methodically: first ensured on-site safety, called the police, then notified the insurance company to follow up on the claim. Subsequent communication clarified responsibility division, with a friend sharing repair costs. Preventive measures like checking the driver's license before lending the car helped reduce risks.