guest statute

guest statute
guest statute n: a statute that prevents non-paying passengers from suing the driver or owner of a car for accidental injuries except in cases of gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct – called also automobile guest statute;

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. . 1996.

guest statute
n.
A statute that absolves a driver from liability injury to a passenger in the car if the injury was the result of ordinary negligence, requiring that the driver exhibit gross or willful negligence, reckless disregard, or some other higher level of carelessness to be liable; many states have repealed these statutes.

The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. . 2008.


guest statute
A law in only a few states that prevents a nonpaying automobile passenger from suing the driver when the passenger is hurt as a result of the simple negligence of the driver. In general, the social passenger can sue the driver only if the driver's actions constitute gross, or extreme, negligence. Examples might include drunk driving, playing "chicken," driving a car knowing that the brakes are faulty, or continuing to drive recklessly after the passenger has asked the driver to stop or asked to be let out.
Category: Accidents & Injuries
Category: Small Claims Court & Lawsuits

Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. . 2009.


guest statute
n. A law that bars, or strictly limits, a nonpaying guest in a private vehicle from suing the driver for damages resulting from an accident; such laws vary from state to state and are now rare.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary. . 2000.

guest statute
n.
   a state law which sets standards of care by the driver of a car to a non-paying passenger. Although state laws vary, the basic concept is that the social passenger can bring suit for negligence against the driver for gross negligence only if the driver could have foreseen that his/her actions or car could put the rider in great peril. Examples: driving while drunk, going far over the speed limit, playing "chicken," taking chances, driving a car knowing the brakes are faulty, or particularly continuing the reckless driving after the passenger has asked the driver to stop or asked to be let out.
   See also: guest

Law dictionary. . 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Guest statute — A guest statute is a term used in the law of torts to describe a statute that makes it more difficult for a passenger in an automobile to recover damages from the driver for injuries received in an accident resulting from ordinary negligence on… …   Wikipedia

  • automobile guest statute — n: guest statute Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. automobile guest statute …   Law dictionary

  • guest — n. Someone who receives hospitality; someone invited into another person’s home for entertainment or driven by another person in a car without paying for the ride. The Essential Law Dictionary. Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc.… …   Law dictionary

  • guest — A person receiving lodging for pay at an inn, motel, or hotel on general undertaking of keeper thereof. A traveler who lodges with the consent of the keeper or owner. Guest is a person who is received and entertained at one s home, club, etc.,… …   Black's law dictionary

  • guest — A person receiving lodging for pay at an inn, motel, or hotel on general undertaking of keeper thereof. A traveler who lodges with the consent of the keeper or owner. Guest is a person who is received and entertained at one s home, club, etc.,… …   Black's law dictionary

  • automobile guest — See family automobile doctrine family purpose doctrine guest guest statute …   Black's law dictionary

  • gratuitous guest — In motor vehicle law, a person riding at invitation of owner or authorized agent without payment of a consideration or fare. Hart v. Hogan, 173 Wash. 598, 24 P.2d 99. See guest guest statute …   Black's law dictionary

  • automobile guest — See family automobile doctrine family purpose doctrine guest guest statute …   Black's law dictionary

  • gratuitous guest — In motor vehicle law, a person riding at invitation of owner or authorized agent without payment of a consideration or fare. Hart v. Hogan, 173 Wash. 598, 24 P.2d 99. See guest guest statute …   Black's law dictionary

  • negligence — The omission to do something which a reasonable man, guided by those ordinary considerations which ordinarily regulate human affairs, would do, or the doing of something which a reasonable and prudent man would not do. Negligence is the failure… …   Black's law dictionary

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