The garage's fault or the owner's fault?

Charliezoo

Just had a call from my mate, his car battery died while driving and he was right near a well known garage chain. He was in the car park but they insisted he get the car under their shelter before they fitted the battery because of the rain. They sent a young guy out to help him, my mate pushed and the guy steered, next thing they've somehow put a dent another car in the car park.

He's not had a chance to call his insurance company yet because he had to rush into work but what are they likely to say about this situation? Was it my friend's fault for allowing someone else to steer the car or was it the guy who was steering's fault? Poor kid was probably trying to be helpful but it sounded like it all went very wrong!

dannyrst

His car, his fault.

Car_54

Since the garage guy was "driving" it won't be covered by your mate's insurance unless he has "any driver "cover - very unlikely. However, it was the driver's fault, so the garage's insurance should cover it.

EdGasket

Yep the lad steering was driving it and the company forced you down the route of pushing the car so it's their responsibility.

loskie

your insurance may have to decide not us

straighttalker

It will be the fault of the lad who was in the driving seat at the time. He would have been in control of the steering and the brakes. Insurance wise, he would have been covered by his employers so their insurer should be dealing.

150940

straighttalker wrote: »

It will be the fault of the lad who was in the driving seat at the time. He would have been in control of the steering and the brakes. Insurance wise, he would have been covered by his employers so their insurer should be dealing.

He's missing one further element to be driving so they may not simply fold and pay out.

straighttalker

Well there was no power as it needed a battery. If the member of staff at the wheel thought he was going to be pushed into another car, he should have braked. My view is the garage insurance will cover their member of staff at the wheel and his negligence will be proven due to the fact that he failed to brake or steer away from the other parked vehicle.

arcon5

dannyrst wrote: »

His car, his fault.

How ridiculous!

So if I steal your car and run down a nun i'm assuming you'll be happy to be prosecuted for it?

Your mate wasn't driving it, they was.

150940

straighttalker wrote: »

Well there was no power as it needed a battery. If the member of staff at the wheel thought he was going to be pushed into another car, he should have braked. My view is the garage insurance will cover their member of staff at the wheel and his negligence will be proven due to the fact that he failed to brake or steer away from the other parked vehicle.

If he's not driving, it may not be as cut and dry as you think.

150940

arcon5 wrote: »

How ridiculous!

So if I steal your car and run down a nun i'm assuming you'll be happy to be prosecuted for it?

Your mate wasn't driving it, they was.

It's about insurance and not prosecution, if you stole his car they may pay out third party liabilities.