What might happen if someone asks you to drive their vehicle knowing that it is not safe to drive under the weather conditions and you get into an accident?
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What might happen if someone asks you to drive their vehicle knowing that it is not safe to drive under the weather conditions and you get into an accident?
Asked on November 4, 2013 under Accident Law, Alaska
Answers:
Brook Miscoski / Hurr Law Office PC
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
It's difficult to answer your question without having access to all the facts. That being said, let's imagine three different scenarios.
(1) Someone asks you to drive a perfectly well-maintained car in flood conditions. You drive into a deep ditch filled with water, and ruin your expensive hairdo.
(2) Someone asks you to drive a car with clearly terrible treads in rainy weather. The car is parked under some bright streetlights, but you don't pay any attention to the condition of the car. You later skid off the road and pee your pants, ruining your expensive jeans.
(3) Someone asks you to drive a car with terrible brakes in rainy weather. You don't know the car has terrible brakes, and don't realize it until the horrible squeal reveals the problem as you fail to stop in time, hitting the car in front of you.
In the first situation, you probably are liable for your own choice to drive in obviously unsafe conditions.
In the second situation, you are probably liable (at least partially) because you were negligent. You should have known that the car was unsafe to drive in the conditions.
In the third situation, your friend may be liable.
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