Archive for the ‘Auto Accidents’ Category
Injury Claim Dismissed as Time Barred
In a recent decision the Washington Court of Appeals upheld dismissal of a personal injury claim as time barred.[1] The plaintiff’s attorney named and served Elizabeth Loeliger rather than Elisabeth Loeliger. Read the rest of this entry »
Am I liable if my senior parent has a car accident?
This question comes up occasionally. The answer is generally, no. Read the rest of this entry »
The Family Car Doctrine
A parent is liable for injury caused by a family member driver (typically a minor) if
- The vehicle is owned, provided, or maintained by a parent
- for the general use, pleasure, and convenience of family members
- a family member for whom the vehicle is maintained was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, and
- the vehicle was operated with express or implied consent of the parent.[1]
Even if the vehicle is being used in an unauthorized manner at the time of the accident the parent may still be liable. [2]
The parent may also be liable for a third person operating such a vehicle if a family member entrusted the vehicle to the third person, such as a non-family member driving the vehicle to run an errand for the family. [3]
[1] Gotcher v. Rowell, 2 Wn.App. 615 (1970); WPI 72.05.
[2] Cameron v. Downs, 32 Wn.App. 875 (1982).
[3] Cameron v. Downs; Davis v. Browne, 20 Wn.2d 219 (1944).

