Insight

What Happens if You Have an Accident While Driving Someone Else's Car

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.

Charles V. Vaughan, Jr.

Charles V. Vaughan, Jr.

January 6, 2024 11:51 AM

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.

Trending Articles

2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.


by Jennifer Verta

Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Digital map of the United States illuminated by numerous bright lights

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Awards Canada: Celebrating Legal Excellence


by Jennifer Verta

Presenting the 19th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and the 4th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Digital map of Canadathis on illuminated by numerous bright lights

Legal Distinction on Display: 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™


by Best Lawyers

The industry’s best lawyers and firms working in France are revealed in the newly released, comprehensive the 15th Edition of The Best Lawyers in France™.

French flag in front of country's outline

Announcing the 13th Edition of Best Lawyers Rankings in the United Kingdom


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is proud to announce the newest edition of legal rankings in the United Kingdom, marking the 13th consecutive edition of awards in the country.

British flag in front of country's outline

Announcing the 16th Edition of the Best Lawyers in Germany Rankings


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany™, featuring a unique set of rankings that highlights Germany's top legal talent.

German flag in front of country's outline

Prop 36 California 2024: California’s Path to Stricter Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform


by Jennifer Verta

Explore how Prop 36 could shape California's sentencing laws and justice reform.

Illustrated Hands Breaking Chains Against a Bright Red Background

Celebrating Excellence in Law: 11th Edition of Best Lawyers in Italy™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers announces the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Italy™, which features an elite list of awards showcasing Italy's current legal talent.

Italian flag in front of country's outline

Combating Nuclear Verdicts: Empirically Supported Strategies to Deflate the Effects of Anchoring Bias


by Sloan L. Abernathy

Sometimes a verdict can be the difference between amicability and nuclear level developments. But what is anchoring bias and how can strategy combat this?

Lawyer speaking in courtroom with crowd and judge in the foreground

Things to Do Before a Car Accident Happens to You


by Ellie Shaffer

In a car accident, certain things are beyond the point of no return, while some are well within an individual's control. Here's how to stay legally prepared.

Car dashcam recording street ahead

Tampa Appeals Court ‘Sends Clear Message,” Ensuring School Tax Referendum Stays on Ballot


by Gregory Sirico

Hillsborough County's tax referendum is back on the 2024 ballot, promising $177 million for schools and empowering residents to decide the future of education.

Graduation cap in air surrounded by pencils and money

The Push and Pitfalls of New York’s Attempt to Expand Wrongful Death Recovery


by Elizabeth M. Midgley and V. Christopher Potenza

The New York State Legislature recently went about updating certain wrongful death provisions and how they can be carried out in the future. Here's the latest.

Red tape blocking off a section of street

Find the Best Lawyers for Your Needs


by Jennifer Verta

Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.

A focused woman with dark hair wearing a green top and beige blazer, working on a tablet in a dimly

Key Developments and Trends in U.S. Commercial Litigation


by Justin Smulison

Whether it's multibillion-dollar water cleanliness verdicts or college athletes vying for the right to compensation, the state of litigation remains strong.

Basketball sits in front of stacks of money

Is Premises Liability the Same as Negligence?


by Jeremy Wilson and Taylor Rodney Marks

In today's age, we are always on the move, often inhabiting spaces we don't own. But what happens when someone else's property injures you or someone you know?

A pair of silhouetted legs falling down a hole with yellow background

Woman on a Mission


by Rebecca Blackwell

Baker Botts partner and intellectual property chair Christa Brown-Sanford discusses how she juggles work, personal life, being a mentor and leadership duties.

Woman in green dress crossing her arms and posing for headshot

Best Lawyers Celebrates Women in the Law: Ninth Edition


by Alliccia Odeyemi

Released in both print and digital form, Best Lawyers Ninth Edition of Women in the Law features stories of inspiring leadership and timely legal issues.

Lawyer in green dress stands with hands on table and cityscape in background