Shreveport, LA asked in Car Accidents and Traffic Tickets for Louisiana

Q: Married. If spouse drives car in my name and gets any traffic violation or wrecks, who is liable ?

1 Lawyer Answer
Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
Answered
  • Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • Baton Rouge, LA
  • Licensed in Louisiana

A: That's 2 different scenarios with 2 different answers (most likely). The operator of the vehicle (and not the owner of the vehicle) would be responsible for any tickets issued assuming the ticket is issued to the driver. Likewise, the operator of the vehicle (and not the owner of the vehicle), would be liable in a wreck if negligent operation of the vehicle is the legal cause of the wreck. If the owner of the vehicle could be found to be negligent and his negligence was a legal cause of the wreck, then the owner of the vehicle could likewise be found liable. The non-driving spouse would not be liable for the actions of his/her spouse unless the non-driving was independently negligent and said negligence was a legal cause of the wreck.

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