P.R. Laws tit. 9, § 5621
The owner of a motor vehicle shall be liable for damages when fault or negligence is involved while operating said motor vehicle when the same is being operated by or is under the actual physical and real control of any person who, with the main purpose of operating it or having or allowing it to be operated by a third person, obtains possession thereof by express or tacit authorization of its owner. In any event, it shall be assumed that, unless otherwise proven, any person operating or having under his/her control a motor vehicle has obtained possession thereof with the authorization of its owner for the main purpose of operating it or having or allowing it to be operated by a third person.
The person for whose negligence the owner of a motor vehicle is liable under the provisions of this section shall be bound to indemnify said owner.
Absent fault or negligence, the owner of a motor vehicle who is engaged in the lease or rental of motor vehicles shall not be responsible for damages caused to third parties as a result of the use, operation, or possession of said the motor vehicle by a renter or lessee while a short- or long-term lease is in effect.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 22.01, renumbered as § 21.01 and amended on June 3, 2004, No. 132, §§ 17, 22,; Dec. 30, 2010, No. 230, § 1.