Before you lend your vehicle to someone, carefully consider what the consequences could be if he or she gets into an accident. There are various outcomes if the person borrowing a car has an accident, including minor to serious injuries. Therefore, it is important for any vehicle owner to understand his or her rights and responsibilities. Regardless of whether or not you know what your auto insurance policy covers or the nature of the accident, it is important to work with an accomplished car accident attorney to help secure the best outcome.

Tennessee Liability Laws

In general, the owner of the vehicle will be held financially responsible for any damages in a collision. Whether or not you are a passenger at the time, your insurance policy will most likely be the one to cover damages. This rule is known as ownership liability. In some situations, if your car is totaled by another driver, your insurance policy will pay up to its limits and then the driver’s policy will carry the rest of the burden. However, this all depends on what kind of insurance policy you have. Some do not allow for this sharing of financial responsibilities, and you may end up owing more than your insurance covers.

Roads and highways can be dangerous places, whether someone is driving for work, for pleasure, or as part of their daily routine. The large number of automobiles on the road increases the risk of car accidents, and one of the primary factors that can lead to deadly collisions is fatigued driving. Truck drivers should especially be careful of driving while tired, since they are often on the road for long hours and during overnight shifts. If a vehicle collides with a larger vehicle like a truck, the results can be catastrophic.

According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, fatigued driving results in 1.2 million crashes and over 5,000 fatalities every year. Victims of car accidents involving fatigued drivers may be entitled to receive financial compensation for their damages.