The answer to the title question of this article is yes, you can! There are certain circumstances where an individual can be held liable for a car accident even if he or she wasn't in the car at the time that the accident occurred. One situation where this is applicable is when an employee drives the car. If you hire an employee to make a delivery in your vehicle, or in a company vehicle that is owned by you, then you may be held responsible for any accidents that occur.

Also, if you work at a studio and ask an intern to take your vehicle and go get lunch for the crew, then you can be held responsible if the intern is involved in a collision while running the errand. Normally, you will only be held responsible if the other driver involved in the accident can prove negligent driving and if the accident is committed by an employee while performing his job duties. For example, the plaintiff in the case may need to prove that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident, or clearly violated a traffic law.

Another reason that you may be held responsible for an accident is if you let someone drive your car. If you lend your car to a friend and that friend gets in an accident due to negligent driving, you may be stuck with the bill because it is your vehicle that was involved in the accident. State laws don't always require that parties have a relationship like employer-employee. In some states, once you give someone permission to drive your car, you are responsible for any accidents that happen.

This is why you should be very careful about who you let drive your vehicle. If an irresponsible friend asks to drive the vehicle, it is best to say no, rather than take on the liability of that person's driving habits. To be liable, the driver must be able to prove that you gave him or her permission to use the vehicle. If the vehicle was borrowed involuntarily or stolen, then the owner is not liable.

You can also be held liable for an accident if you are a parent and your child is driving your vehicle. There are several laws that apply to accidents of this nature. Typically, if a parent lends the family car to a minor child aware of the fact that the child is incompetent, reckless, or inexperienced, the parent may be liable for any damage that is caused by the child's driving.

Also, parents can be held liable under the family purpose doctrine. This is a doctrine that allows someone to purchase and maintain a car for general family use, but the owner of the vehicle is automatically liable for nay negligent driving by any family member that is caught using the car.

If you let any incompetent driver or unfit driver operate your car, you will automatically be held responsible for that crime. For example, if you allow an unlicensed driver to operate your car, or an intoxicated individual, then you will be held responsible.

Also, if the driver is inexperienced, or is elderly and unfit to drive these can be reasons that a car owner could be pressed with liability. In addition, if a driver was previously reckless, or is ill and the illness could affect driving, the driver may be held responsible. If you want more information about car accident liability in accidents of this nature, then contact a local car accident lawyer to assist you.