What to do if an illegally parked car caused my husband to swerve and strike a neighbor’s garage?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if an illegally parked car caused my husband to swerve and strike a neighbor’s garage?
I know I am responsible for the vehicle damage even though it was illegally parked. However, is that person liable in any way for the damages that occurred as a result, either criminally or otherwise?
Asked on May 21, 2014 under Accident Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
The illegal parker *might* be liable *if* the car was parked not merely illegally but dangrously, in such a place as to intrude on the road or otherwise cause a driver to swerve. For example: parked too far out from the curb or right at the corner could create an unreasonable hazard and lead to liability. Parking next to a fire hydrant, on the other hand, or during hours when there is not supposed to be parking, is illegal but not necessarily hazardous, and would most likely not support the imposition of liability.
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.