If was at fault for a car accident that happened a while ago and the insurance claims were settled, am I still responsible for bodily claims months after?
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If was at fault for a car accident that happened a while ago and the insurance claims were settled, am I still responsible for bodily claims months after?
I got in a minor fender bender and I thought the insurance took care of the man whose car I hit. However, only to hear that a few months later they call me claiming that the man I hit is attempting to sue me for hitting his car. They are also going after my mom because she was the policy holder at the time and I was an insured driver. That’s not fair.
Asked on July 11, 2017 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
The property damage claim is separate from the personal injury claim. Settling the property damage claim does not affect the separate personal injury claim.
Since your mother was the policy holder, I assume that she was also the registered owner of the vehicle you were driving. If that is the case, then your mother is liable as the registered owner of the vehicle even if she wasn't present at the accident scene which is why she is being sued.
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