You may be entitled to recover damages under multiple automobile insurance policies if you are injured in an automobile accident while driving a borrowed car. The personal injury lawyers of Maginnis Howard can identify those automobile policies and determine the amount of coverage each provides.
Typical Insurance Sources
In a typical case involving a loaned car, several avenues exist for recovering compensation after an accident. You may be able to access coverage from at least three different motor vehicle insurance policies:
- The At-Fault Driver’s Policy: If another driver is responsible for the accident, their insurance policy should cover the damages you incur. Determining the limits of their liability coverage is essential, as this will dictate the maximum amount you can recover from this source.
- The Policy on the Borrowed Vehicle: If you were driving a borrowed vehicle at the time of the accident, the insurance policy that covers that vehicle may come into play. This policy can provide additional coverage beyond what the at-fault driver’s insurance offers. However, in many cases, the vehicle owner’s insurance coverage will only kick in after exhausting the at-fault driver’s liability limits.
- Your Personal Automobile Policy: If you have your own car insurance, it may include coverage for damages resulting from accidents involving borrowed vehicles. This can be particularly beneficial if the liability limits of the at-fault driver’s policy and the borrowed vehicle’s policy do not fully cover your damages. However, using your personal insurance may affect your rates, so weighing the pros and cons is essential.
Before claiming benefits from your policy or the policy covering the loaned vehicle, it’s crucial first to pursue the liability coverage limits offered by the at-fault driver’s policy. This step ensures you maximize your recovery before tapping into additional policies, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to managing costs and damages after the accident.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
After recovering the limits of the at-fault driver’s policy, you may be entitled to recover under the underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage provided in your policy and the policy on the borrowed car. The amount of UIM coverage provided by your policy and the policy on the borrowed vehicle will depend upon the particular coverage limits provided in the other policies. To help understand complicated insurance coverage questions, contact Maginnis Howard’s car accident attorneys. Our experienced personal injury lawyers handle questions about North Carolina automobile insurance law.
Contact Us
Maginnis Howard can assist you through every step of the automobile accident personal injury claim process. We offer free consultations and a contingency fee arrangement for personal injury cases. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless you recover for your injuries.
Maginnis Howard accepts car accident personal injury cases across the Carolinas. Our experienced attorneys serve clients from Charlotte, Raleigh, and Fayetteville offices. Call us at (919) 526-0450 or submit a new case inquiry by visiting our contact page.
