Under permissive use principles, who is not typically liable?

Under permissive use principles, who is not typically liable?

• A. The car lessor
• B. The owner
• C. The driver
• D. The insurer

Answer: (A)

Permissive use places responsibility on the person who actually drives the car with permission. When someone lends a car, the driver’s negligent act is the typical basis for liability, not the owner who merely allowed the use. The driver is usually the one at fault, with the insurer stepping in to cover the losses. The owner isn’t typically liable unless there’s a special risk created by the owner, such as negligent entrustment—where the owner knew or should have known the driver was unfit or reckless. So the entity that’s not typically liable under permissive use is the car lessor.

Permissive use places responsibility on the person who actually drives the car with permission. When someone lends a car, the driver’s negligent act is the typical basis for liability, not the owner who merely allowed the use. The driver is usually the one at fault, with the insurer stepping in to cover the losses. The owner isn’t typically liable unless there’s a special risk created by the owner, such as negligent entrustment—where the owner knew or should have known the driver was unfit or reckless. So the entity that’s not typically liable under permissive use is the car lessor.