Personal Injury Blog

Often times people are injured in auto accidents and don’t understand who may be liable or responsible in addition to the “at-fault” driver.  Obviously the driver that caused the crash is responsible and the insurance company that insured the vehicle should provide coverage.  But what happens when the vehicle is owned by another and not insured?  What happens when the vehicle is sold and the previous owner never removes their name from the title?  This occurs more than you might think.  

Who is liable in an auto accident

Liability Depends on Who Owns the Vehicle

In an auto accident, the negligent driver is always held liable and the owner of the vehicle, if the driver had their permission to drive, is also liable.  The owner is determined by the name or names on the title.  However, that is not the only way to determine ownership. 

Florida Courts have indicated that the person on the title to the vehicle must also have a beneficial ownership interest in the vehicle to be responsible for the damages caused. 

This means that the titled owner must have some connection or interest in the vehicle that is more that simply being on the title.  Maybe they drive or use the car.  Maybe they care for or control the car.  But it must be something more than only being on the title.

When To Contact an Attorney

That is why it is so important to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.  Finding the answers to these questions early will allow your claim and recovery to move forward in a timely and successful manner. 

At The Lowman Law Firm, we perform a comprehensive investigation into the possible causes and potential responsible parties immediately after accepting the case.  Too often, possible financial recoveries are lost because the investigation is not timely or exhaustive. 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle crash, call us immediately!  You will speak directly with a personal injury lawyer, not a secretary or case manager.  We are here to help.  Call, Email, or Text TODAY! 

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