Financial Channel

My roommate's car was blocking my car from exiting the driveway. He had left the keys in the dining room so people could move his car without him having to get up to do it himself. So I parked his car in a legal spot on the street close to the curb and then proceeded to go to work. Later on my roommate calls me and tell me someone sideswiped his car and says it's my fault for parking his car on the street. Am I in any way legally responsible for any damages that occur to his car after I parked it? (Massachusettes)

If the car was parked lawfully on the street, from what you described you did not commit any acts of negligence which could support a claim against you.

Your roommate was negligent in that he let anyone who wanted to, move his car without his supervision.

Any time you let someone drive your car, you are also lending them your insurance. Here's a rule of thumb: insurance always follows the car (or boat, or motorcycle, etc.).

You can't insure something you don't own so when you lend someone your car, even if they have their own insurance, it's your insurance that is going to pay out if your friend gets into an accident and it's your insurance record that will be affected. Only when your insurance limits are exhausted will your friends insurance step in.

Your friend is going to have to file an uninsured motorist claim and you should be free and clear.

Moral of the story: don't let anyone else drive your vehicle!