If I was involved in a 4 car accident in which I was rear-ended but the person who hit me says that they were hit by someone who left the scene, who then is liable to repair my vehicle?
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If I was involved in a 4 car accident in which I was rear-ended but the person who hit me says that they were hit by someone who left the scene, who then is liable to repair my vehicle?
I only have liability insurance coverage on my vehicle, no comp or collision because my vehicle is 14 years old.
Asked on September 26, 2015 under Accident Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Only an at-fault driver is liable to pay for damage to your car. If the driver who hit you was at fault--e.g. following too closely, which is why they were knocked into you or otherwise driving carelessly--then they could be liable to you even if they in turn were hit by someone else. However, even if liable, if they won't pay voluntarily, to get the money, you'd have to sue them in court and win--i.e. prove in court that they were at fault.
On the other hand, if they were not at fault--were driving reasonably, appropriately, and carefully, and were forced into you by being hit by another person--they would not be liable, or responsible to pay. In that case, you'd only be able to recover compensation if you could identify and find the at-fault driver who hit them and caused them to hit you.
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