liability driving vehicle ownership motor-vehicle
Can vehicle owners ever be held to account for accidents caused by someone else driving?
<p>Bob owns a car. Rob borrows it, drives, breaks some road rules and causes an accident with a hell lot of damage, blood and sorrow (all hypothetical).</p>
<p>Under what circumstances can Bob be held liable for that, if any? (Barring the scenario where Bob intentionally modifies the car or sets a device to cause the accident). Let's also assume that there is no insurance whatsoever <em>and</em> it is perfectly legal to not have one.</p>
<p>Say if the car does not have a current WoF (warrant of fitness, or whatever equivalent in different jurisdictions), does Bob have any duty to disallow Rob to drive it, or at least warn him about the expired WoF? Or is it totally up to Rob to check that the WoF endorsement is current?</p>
<p>(Any jurisdiction).</p>

<h2>Where the driver is an <a href="https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/representing/lawassist_car_accident/who_is_responsible/owners_and_drivers.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">agent</a> of the owner</h2>
<p>Most typically where the driver is an employee of the owner and is using the vehicle in the course of the employment.</p>
<h2>Where the owner is negligent or reckless in allowing use of the vehicle</h2>
<p>For example, where the brake warning light has been on for a while and the accident is due to brake failure.</p>
