Expert: Bennie719 - 1/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: My son age 22 lives in Toledo, Oh which my wife let him drive her car which the loaning company had attach insurance on the loan.  We thought he had his own insurance and drove her car and hit someone from behind at a turning left light. He was the second car and someone pulled from the straight lane in front of the car in front of him and he hit the car in front of him. THe first car got away. He was charge with assure distant. But he doesn';t have insurance and either did my wife on the other car, just on her car. What do we do now? we live in another city in Ohio.Thanks

ANSWER: Hi John,
I'm sorry to learn of your problems.
Since your son was considered at fault, both him and the owner(s) of the vehicle that he was driving will be responsible to pay "out of pocket" cash for all damage and injuries to occupants of the vehicle that he hit.  It also may become necessary to hire an attorney to assist in dealing with the adverse insurance company and any injured parties in the other car.
The Vendors Single Interest insurance policy that was placed on the car by the lending institution only protects them for the balance owed on the car if it is totaled or they have to reposes it in a damaged condition.
If you want that car repaired, you, your wife and son will also need to pay cash out of pocket to repair the car.
I hope that this information is helpful.
Your feedback by rating my reply will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: iF MY SON ALREADY WENT TO COURT BECAUSE THE POLICE OFFICER CITED HIM FOR ASSURE DISTANT 2 WKS AGO, WILL WE BE FINED OR HAVE TO GO TO COURT AGAIN FOR NOT HAVING INSURANCE? iS THERE ANYONE WE NEED TO CONTACT AT THIS POINT?

Answer
Hi John,
I see no reason that your son would need to go back to court unless he got a separate ticket for no insurance.
You can make contact with the other driver and explain that you had no insurance for your son for this accident and try to work out a settlement or you can wait for their insurance to contact you.

Bennie