FAMILY-PURPOSE RULE

family-purpose rule.Torts. The principle that a vehicle’s owner is liable for injuries or damage

caused by a family member’s negligent driving. • Many states have abolished this rule. — Also

termed family-purpose doctrine; family-automobile doctrine; family-car doctrine. Cf. GUEST

STATUTE. [Cases: Automobiles 195(5). C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 843.]

“A number of jurisdictions have adopted the so-called ‘family purpose’ doctrine, under which

the owner of a motor vehicle purchased or maintained for the pleasure of his family is liable for

injuries inflicted by the negligent operation of the vehicle while it is being used by members of the

family for their own pleasure, on the theory that the vehicle is being used for the purpose or

business for which it was kept, and that the person operating it is therefore acting as the owner’s

agent or servant in using it.” 8 Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic § 715, at 296 (1997).[Blacks Law 8th]