I bought a new car and got in an accident without insurance, but car has not been financed yet.
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
I bought a new car and got in an accident without insurance, but car has not been financed yet.
I bought a car from a dealership and it was it was turned down by the finance company so technically its still the dealer’s car. So I’m just curious as to whose responsibility it is to cover the accident because my insurance lapsed?
Asked on June 6, 2009 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
Well well well this is why we don't drive off without a loan in place and insurance in place. If this was a car loan, whose contract also included a contingency (you bring the car back if no financing), then possibly it is covered the insurance policy of the dealership.
What you need to do is the following:
1. File a consumer complaint with the State of California Dept of Financial Institutions (if your dealership is a retail seller regulated by them) -- this is your administrative agency route; and/or
2. Call an accident attorney and get a consultation. Try www.attorneypages.com and then check his or her record at www.calbar.ca.gov under attorney search.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.