You lend your car to a friend for a quick errand, and suddenly, you get a call—there’s been an accident. Now, you’re left wondering: what happens if someone borrows my car and gets into an accident? Am I liable? Will my insurance cover it? It’s a lot to think about, especially when you’re dealing with the chaos of a crash on South Florida roads.
Lending your car might seem like a small gesture, but when it ends in a collision, you could find yourself tangled in a legal and financial mess—facing serious injuries, insurance disputes, or even personal injury claims. In this blog, a South Florida car accident attorney breaks down what you need to know to protect yourself and understand what happens next in South Florida.
How Insurance Works When You Lend Your Car
In Florida, your auto insurance typically follows your vehicle, not the driver—meaning it covers your car even if someone else is driving, as long as they had your permission. This stems from Florida’s “dangerous instrumentality” doctrine, which holds vehicle owners accountable for the actions of permitted drivers. After an accident, your policy is usually the first to kick in, making it a prime target for personal injury claims.
Florida law mandates Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to a $10,000 limit, regardless of fault. However, severe injuries—like broken bones or traumatic brain injuries—often blow past this cap, leaving liability coverage or even your personal assets on the hook.
Here’s what happens if someone borrows your car and causes an accident:
- Your insurance applies first: It covers damages up to your policy limits.
- Borrower’s insurance steps in (if they have it): If your limits are exceeded, their policy might cover the rest.
- Big claims outstrip basic coverage: Serious injuries or wrongful death cases can escalate far beyond PIP or minimum liability limits.
What If the Driver Lacks Insurance?
If the person borrowing your car has no insurance, your policy could be left footing the bill for:
- Medical bills for injured parties
- Property damage from the crash
- Wrongful death claims in fatal accidents
If damages exceed your coverage, you could face personal liability. South Florida car accident attorneys often tap into uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to help victims recover, especially in high-stakes cases involving severe injuries.
This is also why you need to check whether someone you lend your car to has their own insurance coverage, before handing over the keys.
When Could You Be Personally Liable?
Your legal exposure depends on permission and how responsibly you lent your car. You might be personally liable if:
- Negligent entrustment applies: You knowingly let an unsafe driver—like someone unlicensed or intoxicated—take the wheel.
- No permission was given: If the borrower lacked your consent, your liability could shrink, but insurance might still apply depending on the policy.
- Damages exceed insurance: Severe injuries or wrongful death claims can push costs beyond your coverage limits.
In these scenarios, victims could sue you directly, putting your finances at risk.
What If the Accident Involves a Commercial Vehicle?
If your borrowed car collides with a commercial truck, the stakes climb higher. Truck accidents differ due to federal regulations (like those from the FMCSA) and typically carry higher insurance limits—often in the millions. These crashes frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities, leading to:
- Claims against multiple policies (yours and the trucking company’s)
- Complex investigations involving crash reports and federal compliance
As the vehicle owner, you could still be pulled into legal proceedings even if the other driver is largely at fault. South Florida car accident attorneys may target both private and commercial insurance to maximize recovery, amplifying the legal and financial complexity.
Steps to Take After the Accident
Even though you weren’t behind the wheel, there are steps you should take to protect yourself from future claims:
- Request a copy of the accident report: This helps you understand how fault is being assigned and what the police documented.
- Notify your insurance company promptly: Reporting the incident right away allows your insurer to start its investigation and defend you if claims arise.
- Gather available details about the crash: If possible, collect information about the driver, any witnesses, and any damage or injuries reported.
- Stay informed about claims: Keep in touch with your insurance company to monitor whether any personal injury claims or lawsuits are filed against you.
Accident victims generally have up to two years to file a personal injury claim in Florida, which means you could still face legal action well after the crash. Keeping good records and staying proactive can help protect you if claims arise later.
Can Accident Victims Sue You Directly?
Yes — if insurance coverage isn’t enough, accident victims may try to recover money damages from you personally. Factors that matter:
- Whether you knowingly allowed a negligent driver to use your car
- The severity of car accident injuries
- The outcome of personal injury claims or wrongful death claims
Florida personal injury law doesn’t let vehicle owners off the hook easily. Accident lawyers in West Palm Beach representing accident victims will explore every option to recover financial compensation, especially in motor vehicle collisions involving severe injuries.
Protecting Yourself from Future Liability
To limit your exposure in the future:
- Only lend your car to responsible, insured drivers.
- Confirm their driving record when possible.
- Review your insurance policy and consider increasing your coverage limits.
- Stay informed about Florida law and your legal responsibility as a vehicle owner.
These precautions can reduce your risks and give you more control if something unexpected happens.
Worried About Legal Risks After Lending Your Car? DiBiaggio Law Can Help Protect You
When a borrowed car accident puts your finances and your peace of mind at risk, it’s important to know where you stand. If you’re facing questions about your personal liability, dealing with insurance company demands, or being named in a personal injury claim, South Florida accident attorney Deirdre DiBiaggio can step in to protect your interests.
DiBiaggio Law represents vehicle owners across West Palm Beach and South Florida, helping you respond to claims, push back against unfair blame, and safeguard your financial future. Whether you’re being pursued for damages or want to understand your legal responsibilities, our team is ready to help you take action.
Call (561) 473-9800 or complete our confidential online form to schedule your FREE consultation. Florida law sets tight deadlines, and the sooner you understand your options, the more prepared you’ll be to defend yourself. Connect with a South Florida auto accident attorney today.
Copyright © 2025. DiBiaggio Law. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
DiBiaggio Law
605 Belvedere Road, Suite 17
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 473-9800
https://www.dibiaggiolaw.com
