Almost all drivers let their family members borrow their cars at some point. Whether a teen has just started driving or an owner regularly gives permission to a spouse, sibling, or other non-owner to take the car for a spin, accident victims need to know what might happen in a crash with a non-owner behind the wheel. These types of cases can involve vicarious liability, negligent entrustment, permissive use, and other such laws. The rules change from state to state, but here’s what California’s laws say about this unique – but not uncommon – scenario. Does California Use the “Family Purpose” Doctrine? The “family purpose” doctrine is a legal rule that can create vicarious liability where otherwise none would exist. “Vicarious liability” refers to the legal responsibility of a supervisory party – such as an employer or parent – over the actions and behaviors of subordinates based on the relationship between the two parties. The family purpose doctrine specifically relates to vicarious liability in auto accidents in which a family member of the owner crashes the car. According to the family purpose doctrine, the owner of the automobile will be the one liable for damages, regardless of whether the family…

Most people are on the lookout for the safest vehicle on the road when shopping for a new car. With constantly changing safety standards, testing methods, and collision-preventing technologies, this task can be a difficult one. If you’re considering purchasing a new car in 2018 and want to prioritize the safety of your family, we’ve made it easy for you to narrow down your options. Here are the top five safest cars on the market that will help protect you in the case of a car accident. About IIHS Vehicle Safety Ratings Every year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests all new vehicles for two main aspects of safety: crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation. The IIHS tests vehicles for side impacts, moderate overlap front impacts, rear collisions, roof strength, headlights, car seat latches, and much more to ascertain its safety score. The automotive industry widely accepts the IIHS’s top picks as the safest vehicles on the market that year. In 2018, only 15 vehicles made the cut for Top Safety Pick+, compared to 69 vehicles in 2017 and 79 in 2016. Part of the reason for such a drastic difference is a number of strengthened requirements for…

Distracted driving behaviors, including texting and talking on the phone, play a role in thousands of car accidents each year. A person who texts and drives will likely be at majority fault in a car accident. Since California has a sweeping ban against both cell phone use and texting, a driver who violates the law will likely be liable for any damages that you incur following an accident. You may have seen the driver texting or talking on the phone before he or she plowed into your vehicle – but how do you prove it? The Importance of Eyewitness Accounts Collaboration of your story, particularly with eyewitnesses, plays a valuable role in determining fault in your car accident case in California. A police officer will respond to the scene and ask you, the other driver, and other witnesses to the accident to describe what happened. If several parties can corroborate that the other driver was texting or talking at the time, it could go a long way in establishing fault. However, you might have to take other steps to provide proof of liability, especially when you think another driver was using the phone. How Can I Request Phone Records? When…