Can Parents Be Held Liable for Their Teen’s Car Accident?

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a teenage driver, the answer is yes—in many circumstances, you can pursue claims against the teen’s parents. Understanding these liability principles can help you receive full compensation for your damages.

How Parents Can Be Held Liable for Your Injuries

Negligent Entrustment

You may have a claim against the parents if they negligently entrusted their vehicle to their teen when:

• They knew their teen had a history of moving violations or accidents
• They were aware their teen had a suspended or restricted license
• They allowed their teen to drive despite lacking proper training
• They permitted vehicle access despite evidence of reckless tendencies

To succeed with this claim, gather evidence of the parents’ knowledge of these issues, including the teen’s driving record and witness statements about prior incidents.

Vicarious Liability

The legal principle of vicarious liability may allow you to hold parents responsible when:

• The teen was driving a vehicle titled in the parents’ names
• The car was regularly used for family purposes
• The accident occurred while operating the vehicle with permission

The Family Purpose Doctrine can be particularly beneficial in jurisdictions that recognize it. In the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, only DC recognizes this doctrine. It creates a presumption that family vehicles are maintained for family benefit, making parents responsible regardless of whether they specifically approved each use of the car.

Parental Responsibility Laws

When parents sign their teen’s driver’s license application, they create legal avenues for you to seek compensation, including:

• Statutory liability that doesn’t require proving negligence
• Financial responsibility for damages caused by their teen’s driving
• Liability that continues until the teen reaches the age of majority (usually 18)

Ownership Liability

In some jurisdictions, simply being the registered owner of the vehicle can make parents liable through:

• Owner liability statutes that create a presumption the vehicle was being used with permission
• “Dangerous instrumentality” doctrines that hold vehicle owners responsible for harm
• Registration-based liability that follows the car rather than just the driver

Insurance Considerations When Pursuing Parental Liability

Understanding insurance options can significantly impact your recovery when seeking compensation after a teen driver accident. The parents’ family auto policy typically provides the primary coverage for accidents caused by their teen driver. Many families also have umbrella policies that offer additional protection beyond their auto insurance—often $1 million or more—which can be valuable in serious injury cases where parental liability is established.

Your insurance can also play an important role. Your policy may provide coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists, medical payments coverage, or collisions to help with immediate expenses while the parental liability claim proceeds.

Be aware that insurance minimums in our region may not cover catastrophic injuries. In DC, the minimum is $25,000 per person; in Maryland, it’s $30,000; and in Virginia, it’s $50,000. If a teen driver causes significant injuries, these limits can be quickly exhausted. Your underinsured motorist coverage becomes especially important if the parents’ insurance is insufficient to cover your damages.

Pure Contributory Negligence and Your Car Accident

DC, Maryland, and Virginia all follow the pure contributory negligence rule:

• If you are found even 1% at fault, you may be completely barred from recovering damages
• Your attorney must demonstrate the teen driver was 100% responsible
• Proving your complete absence of fault is critical to your case

What You Can Recover

As an injured party, you may be entitled to two main types of compensation. Economic damages cover your financial losses, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs directly related to your injuries. Non-economic damages address your suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, and any permanent disabilities resulting from the accident.

Steps to Take When Injured by a Teen Driver

To protect your rights and strengthen your claim:

• Seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment recommendations
• Document everything (photos, witness contact information)
• Preserve evidence (police report, medical records, repair estimates)
• Limit communications with insurance adjusters
• Consult with an attorney experienced in accidents involving teen drivers

Time Limitations

Be aware of these deadlines in the DC metro area:

• DC: 3 years from the date of the accident
• Maryland: 3 years from the date of the accident
• Virginia: Only 2 years from the date of the accident

Taking action early protects your right to compensation and gives your car accident attorney the best chance to collect important evidence while it’s still fresh and available.

By understanding how parental liability works when a teen driver causes your accident, you can take appropriate steps to secure the compensation you deserve during your recovery.