It is registered in my name, I renewed my insurance policy in the past year bc I never drove it-I drive my bf's car. I left for Atlanta (I'm in WV) one weekend and my friends called to say my dad stole the car one night and totaled it. My dad does not have a driver's license, or insurance, and is forbidden by the doctor to drive. The car was in my name. Who is responsible?
2007-01-31 17:44:46 · 5 answers · asked by PlasticTrees 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
I never renewed my insurance policy*
2007-01-31 17:45:51 · update #1
I do not live with my father. I was told he took a cab to my apartment and got the keys off of my boyfriend. The car was parked behind my building so that it was off the street (not legal to have un-insured car parked on st).
2007-01-31 17:47:40 · update #2
He caused 15k of damage, ironically it was a tow yard that he ran into. I have my airline tickets stating that I was not in town.
2007-01-31 17:55:58 · update #3
West Virginia law states that in the event of an accident, especially those that result in injury, death, and/or damages to the vehicles involved, you must:
1. Stop your vehicle at or as close to the accident scene as possible.
2. Give information (including your name, address, and your vehicle's registration number) to the driver or occupant of the vehicle involved in the accident.
3. Render aid to anyone involved in the accident if you are physically able to do so yourself.
4. Notify authorities immediately of the accident. Local police should be contacted if the accident occurs within a municipality, and the county or state police should be contacted if the accident occurs outside of a municipality.
If your father did all this then the police would probably be able to tell you who is liable. They can probably tell you this even if he didn't follow the law.
If your father didn't report it then it's up to you to decide how far you want to take it. You probably have a case against him for theft, and possibly a case against your boyfriend for negligence, assuming that your boyfriend knew the car was uninsured.
Keep in mind that West Virginia enforces strict administrative and criminal penalties for owners/drivers of uninsured vehicles. You may be liable for damages simply for having a registered vehicle that was uninsured.
2007-01-31 18:06:23 · answer #1 · answered by Fin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well that depends, if you and your boyfriend live together he is your common law husband and knowingly gave your father permission to not only drive an uninsured car but, assuming he knew, let an unlicensed driver take the car. On the other hand If he did not know the circumstances of your car or your fathers present driving ability, it may be ruled against your father, but unless he admits his fault, it will definitely have to be resolved in court.
2007-02-01 01:56:44 · answer #2 · answered by hop4him 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sadly you're liable because it was under your name. If you can prove that you were out of the area and he stole the car things might turn out differently but that might ruin your relationship with the man as he will get in trouble for driving without a license and car theft. This is a tough one and if no one was injured and you're not being sued I'd suggest that you leave it alone and just accept the lost as your own.
2007-02-01 01:54:38 · answer #3 · answered by angel h 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, what a nightmare!
Well technically you are responsible since it's on your name. but you can go after dad but I doubt if he has any insurance since he doesn't drive. Depends on situation ... may be just file a report that it was stolen by someone (not a great idea tho) ... Does any of you have home or personal liability insurance? that might help.
2007-02-01 01:55:40 · answer #4 · answered by Ted 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can sue your father, it's his fault
2007-02-01 01:52:59 · answer #5 · answered by graphix 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋