Car Accident When Driving Someone Else’s Car MN Lawyer

 

ACCIDENT DRIVING BORROWED CAR – MINNESOTA ATTORNEYS

The law in Minnesota is specific about each driver’s duties after an auto accident. It is the same whether driving your own car or a borrowed vehicle. However, our MN auto accident lawyers have noted that people are aware of some laws more than others.

You should know the laws before you are involved in a car accident, so you can fulfill your duties and know your rights. If you have any questions about these MN car accident laws, call a lawyer at our office for a free consultation.

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Borrowed Car Accident Injury Attorney

Here is on law that often surprises people: The vehicle owner is responsible for any damage or injury that is caused by his car. This applies even if the owner is not driving the car at the time, e.g., loaned the car to a friend. In other words, if you let a friend borrow your care and the friend gets in a car accident, you as car owner are responsible. It doesn’t matter that you were not driving the vehicle. The law is referred to as the Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act.

BORROWED CAR INSURANCE ISSUES

Our car accident injury attorneys handle many MN crash cases against a car owner where the driver had borrowed the car. That is the law in Minnesota.

If you are injured in an accident while driving someone else’s car, you may be entitled to auto insurance coverage from the car you borrowed. Insurance coverage for a borrowed car is something our auto accident attorneys will explain to you in more detail when you call our office.

Here is the law regarding the owner’s responsibility and some of the surrounding sections:

169.09 ACCIDENTS.

Subdivision 1. Driver to stop for accident with individual.

The driver of any motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in immediately demonstrable bodily injury to or death of any individual shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident. Or as close to the scene as possible, but shall then return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident. A driver must fulfill the requirements of this section as to the giving of information. The stop must be made without unnecessarily obstructing traffic.

Subd. 2. Driver to stop for accident to property.

The driver of any motor vehicle involved in an accident causing damage to property shall immediately stop the motor vehicle at the scene of the accident. Or as close to the accident as possible. But shall forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident. A driver must fulfill the requirements of this section as to the giving of information. The stop must be made without unnecessarily obstructing traffic.

Subd. 3. Driver to give information.

(a) The driver of any motor vehicle involved in an accident, shall stop and give the driver’s name, address, and date of birth and the registration plate number of the vehicle being driven.

A driver shall, upon request and if available, exhibit the driver’s license or permit to drive to the individual struck or the driver or occupant of or individual attending any vehicle collided with. The driver also shall give the information and upon request exhibit the license or permit to any peace officer at the scene of the accident. The driver shall render reasonable assistance to any individual injured in the accident.

(b) If not given at the scene of the accident, the driver, within 72 hours after the accident, shall give, on request to any individual involved in the accident or to a peace officer investigating the accident, the name and address of the insurer providing vehicle liability insurance coverage.

Subd. 4. Collision with unattended vehicle.

A driver of any motor vehicle that collides with and damages any vehicle that is unattended shall immediately stop. The driver must locate and notify the driver or owner of the vehicle of the name and address of the driver and registered owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle. The driver shall report this same information to a peace officer, or shall leave in a conspicuous place in or secured to the vehicle struck, a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the registered owner of the vehicle doing the striking.

Subd. 5. Notify owner of damaged property.

A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to fixtures legally upon or adjacent to a highway shall take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of the property of that fact. The driver must provide the driver’s name and address, and of the registration plate number of the vehicle being driven. Also, upon request and if available, exhibit the driver’s license, and make report of the accident in every case. The report must be made in the same manner as a report made pursuant to subdivision 7.

Subd. 5a. Driver deemed agent of owner.

Whenever any motor vehicle shall be operated within this state, by any person other than the owner, with the consent of the owner, the operator thereof shall in case of accident, be deemed the agent of the owner.

[See Note.]

Subd. 6. Notice of personal injury.

The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury to or death of any individual shall give notice of the accident to the local police department, to a State Patrol officer if the accident occurs on a trunk highway, or to the office of the sheriff of the county.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in MN while driving a car you borrowed from someone, talk to our lawyers as soon as possible. This will allow us to investigate your case and advise you of your rights. Investigation is often crucial in a car accident case. In particular, when a truck is involved, or the car accident happens at an intersection. We are personal injury lawyers representing injury victims of car accident cases throughout Minnesota.

Our attorneys have handled hundreds of car crash injury cases over the last 25 years. For example, truck accidents , drunk driver crashes, and work related auto accidents resulting in serious injury. In addition, we handle all types of injuries, including brain injuries. A top car accident attorney will provide you with a free initial consultation. Further, we never charge anything unless you receive compensation for your injuries.

TOP CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

Pam Rochlin is one of Minnesota’s few women personal injury Super Lawyers, and she was formerly a partner at Meshbesher and Spence.  We provide big firm experience with small firm attention. You can discuss your case with a top car accident attorney at our office in Edina, Minneapolis, Woodbury, and St. Louis Park.

One of our MN auto accident lawyers will also come to your home to discuss your case in many surrounding cities including Burnsville MN, Richfield, Apple Valley, Maple Grove, Anoka, Brooklyn Center, and St. Paul. Also, Forest Lake, Chanhassen, Maple Grove, and other cities throughout Minnesota.

Our injury lawyers handle all kinds of car accident cases including accidents at intersections, rear end accidents, running a red light or stop sign, skidding on ice, etc. We have helped many people who were in a car accident while driving someone else’s car. You can contact us by phone or email using the contact information on the web site.