What is the law in Pennsylvania regarding whether I can be sued for loaning my car to a friend who was involved in an accident?
In Pennsylvania, you can be sued for loaning your car to a friend under a theory known as "negligent entrustment." A car owner is legally responsible for the negligence of a driver on a car they loaned to him or her who they knew was likely to use or drive recklessly. Examples of this situation can be: a) lending a vehicle to minor children who just obtained their license but do not have experience in rush hour traffic or expressway driving; b) lending a vehicle to potential drivers who are visibly intoxicated or drugged; or c) lending the Porsche to a friend for the big drag race on Saturday night. The mere fact that you lend a vehicle to someone who then gets in an accident does not mean that you are liable. Your insurance company will likely cover the accident and pay for the damage caused by the negligent driver. The downside is that you, as the car owner, might be facing higher premiums in the future.
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