Am I liable for my husband’s auto accident even though I wasn’t in the car?
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Am I liable for my husband’s auto accident even though I wasn’t in the car?
About 2 years ago, my husband was in a multiple car crash. He struck a stopped car who in turn struck the car ahead of her. A resolution has been made with the middle car driver but not the front car driver. It is apparent that the front car driver has sustained neck injuries and is finally moving to resolve this issue. Her lawyer has requested a lot of financial information from my husband and from
me. I was not in the car, at the time of the accident. We are going to obtain a lawyer but we’re trying to understand the extent of my husband’s liability and my liability.
Asked on November 30, 2017 under Accident Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
1) Your husband can be liable for all the front driver's injuries, if your husband hit the car which hit that person and caused that car to hit the front driver: if A hits B and sends B crashing into C, A caused the damage or injury to C.
2) If the car was in your name as well as your husband's, you can be personally liable: all owners of a car are liable when the people they let or permit to drive it (including co-owners) are at fault in an accident.
3) Even if you are not personally liable because you were not an owner of the car, clearly, since your husband may be liable, that can affect your joint finances and property: his share of any real estate, bank or investments accounts, etc. could be reached by the injured driver if they sue him and win; his wages can be garnished; etc.
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