Legal Definitions - family-automobile doctrine

The family-automobile doctrine, also known as the family-purpose rule, holds a vehicle owner liable for damages caused by the negligent driving of a family member. This applies when the family member is driving the car with the owner's permission for a family purpose.

The family-automobile doctrine, also frequently referred to as the family-purpose rule, is a legal principle that can hold the owner of a vehicle responsible for damages caused by the negligent driving of a family member. This doctrine applies when the family member is using the vehicle with the owner's express or implied permission for a "family purpose." The core idea behind this rule is that the vehicle is maintained for the general use and convenience of the family, and when a family member drives it for a family-related activity, they are considered to be acting as an agent for the owner in fulfilling a family need.

Here are some examples illustrating the family-automobile doctrine:

• Example 1: A parent owns a minivan that the entire family uses. Their 16-year-old son, who has a driver's license, borrows the minivan with his parent's permission to drive himself and his younger sister to a local youth soccer practice. On the way, the son negligently runs a stop sign and causes a collision, injuring another driver.

  Explanation: Under the family-automobile doctrine, the parent (as the owner of the minivan) could be held liable for the damages caused by their son's negligence. The son (a family member) was driving the family vehicle with permission for a clear "family purpose" – transporting family members to an extracurricular activity.

• Example 2: A husband owns the family's primary sedan. His wife uses the car to pick up their dry cleaning and then stops at the pharmacy to get medication for their child. While leaving the pharmacy parking lot, she accidentally scrapes another car due to her inattention.

  Explanation: The husband (as the vehicle owner) could be held responsible for the damage to the other car. His wife (a family member) was using the family car with implied permission for common "family purposes" – running household errands and obtaining necessities for their child.

• Example 3: An elderly grandmother owns a compact car. Her adult granddaughter, who lives in the same household, uses the car with the grandmother's permission to drive her younger cousin (also a family member) to a doctor's appointment. Due to the granddaughter's speeding, she loses control and hits a guardrail, damaging the car and causing minor injuries to her cousin.

  Explanation: The grandmother (as the vehicle owner) might be held liable for the damages and injuries. Her granddaughter (a family member) was driving the family car with permission for a "family purpose" – transporting another family member for medical care, which benefits the family unit.