Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Auto damage on property

While working on a friend's car, the car caught fire and was damaged heavily, this occured at my home. While I exercised normal precautions against damage, there was excessive fuel leakage when automobile was started, and the car caught fire. There was no time to put out the large fire, and 911 was dispatched. What is my financial liability towards this vehicle since it is not repairable. My property insurance for the garage does not covered licensed vehicles.


Asked on 1/28/99, 3:37 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Marvin Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C.

Re: Auto damage on property

To some extent, it depends on whether or not you were getting paid for doing this work, or just doing it as a friend.

Did the car have comprehensive coverage? IF so, that might be available to pay for the damage, less the deductible. But the insurance company might still come after you.

Under the technicalities of the law, if you really weren't negligent in any way, you might not be liable for the damage. But cars don't normally get burned up when a skilled mechanic is working on them. ANd look at the other side: if you took your car to a garage, and it was destroyed by fire, would you accept it if the mechanic said it was just an accident, tough luck but you'd have to buy a new car yourself.

I didn't think so.

William Marvin

Law Offices of William D. Marvin

947 Old York Road


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Answered on 2/01/99, 9:45 am


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