Vicarious Liability Cases Explode in New York

Long a thorn in the side of the truck leasing industry, “vicarious liability” is now under growing attack in New York state as lawsuits using this legal concept have exploded in recent years. "Vicarious liability" means leasing companies are responsible for the damages from all accidents involving their leased vehicles, even though they have no control over the lessee/driver. No other state subjects
Nov. 10, 2003
Long a thorn in the side of the truck leasing industry, “vicarious liability” is now under growing attack in New York state as lawsuits using this legal concept have exploded in recent years. "Vicarious liability" means leasing companies are responsible for the damages from all accidents involving their leased vehicles, even though they have no control over the lessee/driver.

No other state subjects vehicle lessors to this unlimited liability, said the Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors (ACVL) in Nashville .

According to a survey by ACVL some 2,564 vicarious liability lawsuits with claims totaling $6.5 billion have been filed between in New York between January 2000 and June of this year.

The group also noted the amount of damages being sought has skyrocketed each year as well. In 2000, 694 such lawsuits were filed in New York seeking just over $973 million in claims. Last year, however, 794 lawsuits were filed with claims reaching over $1.4 billion.

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr

Editor in Chief

Sean Kilcarr is a former longtime FleetOwner senior editor who wrote for the publication from 2000 to 2018. He served as editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2018.

 

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