Should I be held responsible for half the damages to my friends car?

Question

I was driving his car because he was drunk. I was trying to make a right turn onto a street which he though would lead us the wrong way. He suddenly jerked the stearing wheel away from me very hard. I lost control of the car and ran up on a curb and hit a fence. There seems to be signifigant damage. This is not the first time he's done this. I have managed to avoid accidents in the past he would have caused. He did this to his cousin a month ago. He caused his cousin to crash into a curb and blow out his(my friends) tire. He was distracting his cousin as while he was driving as well..

Answer 1

normaly id say yes BUT he caused accident while you were helping him avoid a wreck/arrest....his fault 100%   get him into AA asap

Answer 2

if he jerked the wheel, it's his fault... you have a case...

Answer 3

Under normal circumstances, you are responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle. In this case, your "friend" was the one who interfered with your driving, and was the cause of the damage! Seeing as he has a history of doing stupid things like this, he should pay for the damage.

You could be held liable fo the damage to the fence, as the driver of the car, but if you were, you would have a good case against him to pay for that. The fence owner would want you to pay, and then you would have to collect from your "friend".

If I were you, I would not pay! He has a history of doing stupid things, and the incident with his cousin can be used in court to add credence to your version of events!

As a side note, if your friend does not get some help, I would have to recommend that you do not hang out with him. He is going to cause you more problems! At the very least, if you are driving him home, but him in the back seat!!

Answer 4

With friends like him, who needs enemies?  

If it happens again, put him in the trunk and take him home.  It seem that he can't control himself enough to 1)control his alcohol intake, or 2) keep from becoming "10 feet tall and bullet-proof" because of his love for libation and figures you can't drive a car without his assistance.  

Get him some help.  If he doesn't want it, force the issue.  You are not doing him any favors by allowing his actions.  

Good luck... and by the way, he caused the accident, not you.  He is at fault and liable for all damages.

Answer 5

his fault not yours and dont let him make you belive ny different.

you have a case if he tries to take you to court on it..

i wish you the best of luck...

Answer 6

Let him drive home next time, report him to the police and phone yourself a taxi!

Answer 7

IF YOU HAD A WITNESS IT WOULD HELP BUT WITHOUT ONE IT WOULD BE YOUR WORD AGAINST HIS.

IN MY OPINION IT WOULD BE HIS FAULT BUT IF IT GOES TO COURT YOU WOULD BE AT FAULT 100% UNLESS YOUR FRIEND SAID THAT HE DID THIS TO CAUSE THE ACCIDENT.

I HAVE SEEN THIS MANY TIMES AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS THAT YOU WERE HELPING YOUR FRIEND BUT YOU WERE DRIVING AND EVERYTIME THE OTHER PERSON WILL DENY ANY WRONG DOING AND YOU WILL BE STUCK WITH THE BILL.

Answer 8

it's all on him

Answer 9

I hope you punched him so and knocked him out so he couldn't do it again.

Answer 10

Being an x claim adjuster, I have to say that your friend should not be looking to you to pay for any of the damages.  If he has insurance the company will pay.  You just tell your story and let them take care of it.  If he does not have insurance then he should pay all.  He was drunk and he acted in a irresponsible manner.  Do you still want to be his friend?