Patterson v. Harris

1 Citing case

  1. Castro v. Budget Rent-A-Car System, Inc.

    154 Cal.App.4th 1162 (Cal. Ct. App. 2007)   Cited 33 times
    Holding Alabama's interests predominant over California's where auto accident occurred in Alabama, even though California resident victim could be financial burden on California

    Under Alabama law, the owner of a vehicle is not liable for the negligence of a permissive user of that vehicle. ( Patterson v. Harris (1995) 674 So.2d 67, 69; Downes v. Norrell (1954) 261 Ala. 430 [ 74 So.2d 593, 597] ["Permissive use alone does not furnish any basis for liability against the owner . . ."]; Cruse-Crawford Mfg. Co. v. Rucker (1929) 220 Ala. 101 [ 123 So. 897] ["The doctrine is also well known that an owner of a car is generally not liable for the consequences of the negligence of a bailee or borrower while so operating the car . . ."].) In California, however, the owner of a vehicle is liable for the negligence of a permissive user of that vehicle, but the amount of damages for which the owner can be held liable is limited.