What to do if I recently got in an auto accident while driving my dad’s uninsured car?
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What to do if I recently got in an auto accident while driving my dad’s uninsured car?
My dad never told me the car was uninsured or else I wouldn’t have driven it. The damage was minimal to both cars. The car I hit had a broken tail light and a dent in the bumper. Now, the guy’s insurance company is going after me for over $7,000.
Asked on September 20, 2013 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
The other driver's insurance should be pursuing the claim against your dad instead of you since your dad was the registered owner of the vehicle. You should inform the other driver's insurance company that you were not the registered owner of the vehicle. If the insurance company still pursues its claim against you and obtains a judgment against you (I assume you are at least eighteen years old), you should consider filing bankruptcy if you can't afford to pay the amount of the judgment. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is straight liquidation which eliminates certain types of debts.
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
The other driver's insurance should be pursuing the claim against your dad instead of you since your dad was the registered owner of the vehicle. You should inform the other driver's insurance company that you were not the registered owner of the vehicle. If the insurance company still pursues its claim against you and obtains a judgment against you (I assume you are at least eighteen years old), you should consider filing bankruptcy if you can't afford to pay the amount of the judgment. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is straight liquidation which eliminates certain types of debts.
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