sharminlaw

Palm Beach County Car Accident with a Leased Car

Long-term lease agreements are those lasting more than one year.  The lessor of a vehicle with a long-term lease has greater protection under the dangerous instrumentality doctrine.  The lessor is not considered the owner so long as certain requirement are met: (1) the lessor required the lessee buy adequate coverage; (2) the lessee bought and maintained coverage; (3) if the lease requiers the lessor to have minimum coverage and the lessee maintains it, the lessor is relieved of liability.  General requirements under Florida law are $100K per person and $300K per incident for bodily injury protection and $50K property damage liability or not less than $500K combined bodily injury and property damage liability.

So what if you are in a Palm Beach County car accident with a leased vehicle and the lessee let htier insurance lapse?  The lessor will probably be liable under the dangerous instrumentality doctrine for damages caused by the lessee.  It is important to look at the terms of the lease agreement to determine potential liability.  Call an experience West Palm Beach auto accident attorney who had expertise in reading lease agreement and insurance policies to determine your best course of action.