Who Pays for Damage Caused by a Stolen Car?

cartwrightlaw - April 25, 2024 -

who pays for damage caused by stolen car

If you’re involved in an accident with a stolen vehicle, you may need clarification about the next course of action, particularly when the thief flees the scene. The law treats the stolen car’s owner as an innocent party and is not liable for accident-related losses.

Since the vehicle’s owner is innocent, you may have to file a claim against your insurer for compensation. More importantly, taking the proper steps after an accident involving a stolen car is vital in obtaining compensation.

If you are in the Bay Area, consult a Vacaville car accident attorney who can review your claim and discuss your legal options.

Liability for Damage Caused By a Stolen Vehicle

The owner of a vehicle has a particular responsibility when sharing the road with other users, such as pedestrians, cars, cyclists, and motorcyclists. A driver’s responsibility includes adhering to speed limits, giving way to others, and avoiding impaired driving.

You may be liable for the damages when you let someone borrow your vehicle, which subsequently causes an accident. However, liability may be waived if someone stole your car, leading to an accident, because you did not authorize its use.

The owner of a vehicle is only liable for an accident caused by another party if they give express or implied permission. Although rare, an accident victim may argue that a vehicle owner was negligent in some way, e.g., if a vehicle owner failed to install an alarm system.

Obtaining compensation from the thief is challenging because they usually flee the scene.

Determining Fault in an Accident Involving a Stolen Vehicle

In a car accident, the at-fault party is responsible for the property damage and injuries. However, it is a different case in an accident involving a stolen vehicle. When the driver of the stolen car causes an accident, neither the insurer nor the owner is liable for the losses.

Although the thief is responsible for the losses due to their negligent behaviors, their insurer may deny coverage since the policyholder was involved in an illegal activity when the accident occurred.

What to Do When Involved in an Accident With a Stolen Vehicle

After being involved in an accident, taking proper steps enhances the chances of obtaining compensation for your injury-related losses.

Here are a few crucial steps to take after a car accident:

Immediately After the Accident

Take precautionary steps to promote your safety, as well as that of passengers involved in the accident and other road users.

Here are a few precautionary steps to take:

Move yourself and the vehicle to the side of the road if it is safe to do so
Contact the local emergency department or 911 if someone is injured
Contact the police to notify them about the accident

The most important thing is to prevent anyone else from being injured and minimize the extent of the damage.

Gather Information

If you sustained an injury in an accident involving a stolen vehicle, you want to make sure you have evidence about how the crash occurred. Usually, accidents cause severe injuries and extensive property damage.

Therefore, evidence of events leading to the crash helps to substantiate injury-related losses.

Most stolen vehicle incidents resemble hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver flees the scene. It is, therefore, challenging to obtain the personal details of the other driver, including name, telephone number, address, insurance information, and driver’s license.

Even so, gather the following information, which may prove helpful later:

The license plate number of the other vehicle
Names and contact details of passengers or witnesses in the accident
Name and contact details of the police who responded to the accident
Images of the scene of the accident
Photographs of damages sustained by the vehicle
A copy of the accident report

It is often impossible or difficult to obtain information days after an accident, so collect as much information as possible at the scene.

Seek Medical Attention

Car accidents cause varying levels of physical harm, ranging from moderate to severe injuries. Symptoms of particular injuries are not immediately apparent and appear days after an accident.

A comprehensive medical review can reveal any hidden issues.

In addition to getting prompt treatment, visiting a medical provider allows you to document your injuries if you need to demonstrate the extent of your injury in a claim.

Get in Touch With a Car Accident Attorney

Although many injured victims independently obtain compensation from the insurer, working with a car accident attorney enhances the chances of a positive outcome. First, an attorney can give you insights regarding your rights and strategies for obtaining compensation.

More importantly, an attorney will provide legal support while deciding whether to accept a settlement offer. Most injured victims accept the first settlement proposal and leave money on the table.

An attorney will evaluate the merits of each settlement offer and negotiate for a better deal if necessary.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Regardless of the party responsible for injury-related losses, consider informing your insurer about the collision as soon as possible.

There are several reasons why you should inform your insurer, including:

A minor injury can develop into complications, highlighting the benefits of medical coverage offered by an insurer
Your insurer will pay for injury-related losses because of the complications surrounding a stolen vehicle

If you inform your insurer, you could avoid jeopardizing the protection an insurer offers. Consider notifying the insurance provider within 24 hours after a crash.

Get in Touch With an Experienced Vacaville Car Accident Attorney for Legal Advice

Suppose you sustained a severe neck injury in a car accident involving a stolen car. In that case, you may endure pain and suffering, hefty medical bills, and a reduced quality of life.

Although you can obtain compensation from the at-fault insurer, working with an experienced attorney enhances your chances of a fair settlement value .

The Cartwright Law Firm has over 60 years of experience representing injured victims, and we are prepared to protect your rights. Contact us online or at (415) 851-6486 for a free case review.