- Car Accidents
Getting hit by a car as you are driving home is bad enough. But, to make matters worse, the driver responsible for the accident is under 18 years old. As frustration and confusion set in, your biggest worry is: who pays your damages after you were hit by a teenage driver?
A Douglasville car accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve after a crash with an underage driver.
Most Teenage Drivers Are Covered by Their Parents’ Insurance Policy
When it comes to accidents involving teen drivers, one of the first questions that arise is whether they have insurance coverage. Fortunately, in many cases, most underage drivers are covered by their parents’ insurance policy.
Typically, parents add their children as named insured or additional drivers on their car insurance policies. This means that if an accident occurs and the teenage driver is at fault, their parents’ insurance should provide coverage for any resulting damages or injuries.
However, it’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable Douglasville car accident attorney who can help navigate through potential complexities and ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages. They will guide you through the process and work diligently to protect your rights throughout every step of your claim.
Typically, Insurance Follows the Car
What happens if you were hit by a teen driver at the wheel of their parents’ car, not their own? The rule is that insurance follows the car rather than the driver. This means that their parents’ insurance policy may be responsible for covering your damages.
Insurance companies typically provide coverage for any person driving a vehicle with permission from the owner. So even if it was an underage driver behind the wheel, as long as they had permission to drive the car, their parents’ insurance should cover any resulting injuries or property damage.
Parents May Be Liable Under the Family Purpose Doctrine
When you’re involved in a car accident with a teenage driver, in some cases, you may be able to hold the parents responsible.
Typically, parents are legally responsible for their children until they reach adulthood. This means that if their underage child causes an accident due to negligence or recklessness, the parents can also be held accountable. This holds true even if the parent was not present at the time of the accident.
To prove parental liability, you will need evidence showing that the parent knew or should have known about their child’s irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. This could include demonstrating the parent knew about previous incidents of reckless driving.
To navigate this complex legal situation it’s essential to seek guidance from an experienced Douglasville car crash lawyer
What If the Teenager Did Not Have Permission to Drive the Car?
When you’re involved in a car accident with a teenage driver, it can already be quite overwhelming. But things can get even more complicated if the minor didn’t have permission to drive the car they were operating.
In such cases, determining liability becomes trickier. The responsibility may not lie with the parents or legal guardians of the minor driver. Instead, it could extend to other parties involved, such as the owner of the vehicle or any adults who allowed access to their car without proper authorization.
Proving that the minor did not have permission to drive is crucial for holding these additional parties accountable and seeking compensation for your damages. This requires gathering evidence like witness statements, surveillance footage, or any documentation showing that permission was either explicitly denied or absent altogether.
Let an Experienced Douglasville Car Accident Attorney Protect Your Rights!
If you have been involved in a car accident caused by a teen driver, you need to understand your rights and options for recovering damages. Dealing with insurance companies and navigating the legal process can be overwhelming, especially when there are complexities involving underage drivers.
That’s why it’s essential to seek the guidance of an experienced Douglasville car crash lawyer who can protect your rights. They will work tirelessly to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf. They will fight for fair compensation for your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering.
Moreover, an attorney specializing in car accident cases knows how to respond if the insurance company tries to minimize or deny your claim. By hiring a skilled attorney at Hartley, Rowe, & Fowler, you can focus on healing from your injuries while knowing that someone is fighting for justice on your behalf.
Call us now at 678-825-6004 to schedule a free case review!
