I got in a car accident a few months ago...the car isn't mine, it belongs to my boyfriend's dad. Anyways, he didn't have insurance on it and I got a letter from the state that said I have to prove that I had insurance (even though I didn't hurt anybody else's car) during the time of the accident or else I will get my license suspended. As a girl with a perfect driving record (besides that accident) and not so much as a ticket, I am pretty upset. I was wondering why *I* would have my license suspended and not my boyfriend's dad because it wasn't my responsibility to have insurance on the car.
2007-01-26 10:22:22 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
First of all, when I say it's my boyfriend's dad's car, the TITLE has his name on it. He gave it to my boyfriend and we shared that car.
Secondly, I only did damage to the car I was driving and so much damage was done that we just handed the title over to the tow man.
I live in Indiana.
2007-01-27 03:54:40 · update #1
Yes you can get it suspended, but not because of the accident but because the accident probably was more than $500 in damages, then it is mandatory to report the accident and since you are driving you are supposed to have insurance, no matter what. you can get what's called non ownership insurance cost you about 100 - 200 for a year and you can drive anybodys car and have insurance for it.
2007-01-26 10:35:49 · answer #1 · answered by optimake5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THere are two parts to your problem. The first you already know. YOU, not your boyfriends dad, are the responsible driver of the car. If you don't have insurance you need to make certain that there is coverage on the car BEFORE you drive it.. not AFTER you have an accident.
Some states have mandatory sentencing for uninsured motorists. (Including impounding the car ) If you are in one of those states then there is not much else you can do but hunker down and take the blow.
There's more potential bad news too. Once the find out you have no insurance you can get a ticket in the mail with the fine attached to the envelope for you to mail in the license. Typical fines in California can be $500 TO $600.
It just gets better too: If it wasn't insured was it even registered? (More potential tickets / fines).
Bottom line here tho.. is that when all is said and done you will likley have learned an expensive lesson and gotten off pretty easy. If your accident had injured someone, you would be dealing with a lot of pain and hurt right now plus potentially YEARS of payments to the injured party.
A six month suspension is nothing compared to that.
Good luck to you........hope it works out as easy as possible (and doesn't repeat).
.
2007-01-26 22:08:39 · answer #2 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As always, insurance goes with the vehicle, not with the driver. Although it isn't your responsibility to get insurance for the car, as the driver it was your responsibility to make sure it had insurance before driving it. Why would they take your boyfriend's dads license? He wasn't driving it. Did he, the owner, the dad, give you permission to drive the car, or did you just take it and drive it? Not your boyfriends permission, his dad.
If the state sent you an "either or" letter, and you didn't have the either, I guess you will get the or.
Frankly I don't understand how they could take that position unless you didn't have permission to drive. What are you leaving out? I also don't understand "I had an accident" and "I didn't hurt anyone elses car". If you mean damage was only to the car you were driving, that is someone elses car, not yours.
Ask the state to clarify things for you if you don't fully understand what they are asking.
2007-01-26 19:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have insurance? If you do, plead stupid and they may cut you a break. I don't really know the rules and stipulations when driving someone elses car, but if you prove to the DMV that you are a law abiding citizen with a good driving record and social responsibility (AND one that has insurance) they might modify or limit your driving privledges. As for your boyfriends father......don't worry, if he hasn't already been contacting by the good 'ol DMV.......HE WILL BE if he is the owner of an uninsured vehicle that is on the road!!
2007-01-26 18:55:47 · answer #4 · answered by lydlykarug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is because as a driver of a motor vehicle you are responsible for making sure the car (or you) is insured. Not knowing what state you are in makes any more information difficult but you should talk to your parents or a lawyer.
2007-01-26 18:37:03 · answer #5 · answered by Mon-chu' 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is your first offense you may get lucky and get off with just a fine or short probation period. That being said it doesn't matter whose car it is if there is no insurance and you driving it then your the one thats going to get in trouble, sucks doesn't it. Thats why i dont drive anyone elses car.
2007-01-26 18:30:56 · answer #6 · answered by heyhey95 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋