That's exactly what it means. Matter of fact....in some area's the vehicle's owner is actually liable for damages. When I worked on some company housing for the copper mine in BagDad AZ back in the 70's all the local's joked that the area "ranchers" made ten times the value of a scraggly old range cow when one got hit by a truck belonging to the contractor that hauled the concentrate than they ever could have at auction. Seems every cow they owned was a prize breeder....including the steers.
