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Are Parents Liable for Car Accidents Caused by Their Children?

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

While the specifics vary from state to state, in general, parents can be held liable for car accidents caused by their children. The laws in New Jersey are slightly more lenient than the laws in New York.

Teenage Drivers are More Accident-Prone

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of car accidents for drivers in the 16-19 age group is the highest. Additionally, per mile driven, these drivers are also close to three times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision. With these alarming statistics in mind, many parents have contacted our attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to learn more about their potential liability for these crashes.

Why are Teenagers More Accident-Prone?

Some common causes include:

Inexperienced and less mature drivers are more likely to disregard or underestimate dangerous traffic, road, or weather conditions
They tend to drive at higher speeds
They engage in unsafe lane changes, improper passing, tailgating, and other aggressive driving maneuvers
Distracted driving, which may include texting while driving, eating while driving, or distractions caused by passengers
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

What Are the Laws in New York?

In New York, Vehicle and Traffic Law 388 specifies that “[e]very owner of a vehicle used or operated in this state shall be liable and responsible for death or injuries to person or property resulting from negligence in the use or operation of such vehicle…by any person using or operating the same with the permission, express or implied, of such owner.” This is what is often referred to as vicarious liability. In other words, the owner of a car is liable for any injuries in an accident– whether or not they were driving or even present at the time.

Therefore, if you loan your car to your teenaged child and they are involved in a crash, the liability follows the car. As the parent, you will bear any financial responsibility related to the damages stemming from that accident caused by their negligence.

Parents are even more likely to be held liable in cases if they were aware of their child’s questionable or dangerous behavior. This might include substance abuse, a track record of reckless behavior, or a history of traffic violations. This is what is often referred to as negligent entrustment. The parent either knew or reasonably should have known that it was not safe to hand the keys to them but did so anyway—and that carelessness ultimately led to someone else’s injuries.

New Jersey is a Little More Lenient

For parents in New Jersey, the law is a little more lenient. They can still be held vicariously liable for car accidents caused by their children, but only if the child was acting as the parent’s agent. For example, you hand your child the car keys and ask them to run an errand on your behalf. In that case, your child would be acting as your agent– and you would be vicariously liable in a car accident lawsuit. However, if you bought a car for them to drive to school, and they were not driving it for a “family purpose” at the time they caused an accident– you would not be held liable.

An Experienced Attorney Can Answer All of Your Questions

It can be complex in both New York and New Jersey when determining whether or not parents will be held liable for car accidents caused by their children. For that reason, our attorneys at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. advise that you consult with an experienced car accident lawyer to fully understand your rights, duties, and obligations under your state’s law. Since 1975, we have aggressively pursued justice on behalf of our clients in New York and New Jersey.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you have questions about parental liability for car accidents caused by your children, call Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. today to schedule a free case review. We do not charge our clients anything unless they win.

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   LWelsh 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 22 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 86 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 89 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 95 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 101 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 124 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 137 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 144 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 147 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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Are Parents Liable for Car Accidents Caused by Their Children?

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