Some Virginia car accidents involve complicated legal and liability issues. One common scenario is that the driver only holds a learner’s permit and has a collision using someone else’s vehicle.
Liability for an accident caused by learner’s permit-holder
The most likely situation leading to a person holding a learner’s permit getting into a car accident using someone’s personal vehicle is a child driving a parent’s car. If your teen or adult child has an accident while using your vehicle, you would be liable for any damages they cause as long as they are listed on your auto insurance policy. However, insurers require learner’s permit-holders to be supervised at all times while driving.
Steps to take after such an accident
If your child gets into a car accident while practicing driving, you must take the same steps as in any other collision. Remain at the scene and call 911 for the police and an ambulance. Exchange names and pertinent information with the other driver and document the scene of the accident by snapping plenty of photos.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to inform a representative about the accident. Ask witnesses for their names and contact information and record their statements if possible.
Car accidents are stressful and cause adrenaline rushes, so injuries may remain hidden for several hours or even days before side effects show. It’s possible to have internal injuries or other catastrophic injuries, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.
In some cases, damages from a car accident caused by a driver who only holds a learner’s permit may not be covered by insurance. In that situation, you would have to pay the other driver out of your own pocket.