Legal Definitions - family-car doctrine

The family-car doctrine, also known as the family-purpose rule, is a principle in tort law that holds the owner of a vehicle responsible for any injuries or damages caused by a family member's negligent driving. This means that if a family member causes an accident while driving the family car, the owner of the car can be held liable for any resulting harm.

For example, if a father allows his teenage son to use the family car and the son causes an accident due to his reckless driving, the father can be held responsible for any injuries or damages caused by the accident.

It's important to note that many states have abolished this rule, and it may not apply in all situations. However, in states where it is still in effect, it serves as a way to ensure that vehicle owners take responsibility for the actions of their family members when they are behind the wheel.