Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 9/1/2009

Question
FOUND AD ON INTERNET THAT  GUY DOES BRAKE WORK. WE ARRANGE TO DO THE BRAKES ON SUNDAY. I PICK UP THE PARTS SUNDAY MORN. DROP THE PARTS IN THE CAR OFF. HE ASK ME TO POP MY HOOD. HE STARTED WORKING ON THE CAR. HE NEEDED A TOOL I WENT AND PICKED THE TOOL UP. HE DROVE ME I PAID. ON THE WAY BACK I HAD HIM DROP ME OFF SO I CAN WALK HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME I REALIZE HE HAD MY KEY. IN ABOUT AN HOUR I WAS CALLED TO PICK UP THE CAR. WHEN I ARRIVED. HE SAID START HER UP SEE HOW SHE RIDES.WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR ,THEN I WAS PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE GARAGE SIT ON A HILL AND THE TRUCK STARTED GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. IM SCREAMING IT HAS NO BRAKES NO BRAKES NO BRAKES I CANT STOP I CANT STOP. I SIDE SWIPPED A CAR AND HIT ANOTHER AND THATS HOW I STOPPED. I GAVE THEM MY INSURANCE INFO. HIS WIFE CALLED THE CLAIM IN. IT WAS HIS STEPDAUGHTERS CAR THAT I HIT. IS HE RESPONSIBLE. I DO HAVE A RECEIPT STATING HE DID MY BRAKE SERVICE. PLEASE HELP ME .

Answer
Hi Lee,

Yes. The guy that did the brake work is 100% responsible for all of the damage that occured including the damage to your car. So you need to ask him for his business liability insurance information. If he does not have business liability insurance and if he claims he does not have the money to pay for the damage then you will have to file suit against him and you will be awarded a judgement. Or you can make a claim agains your own auto insurance to get your car repaired and let the insurance company sue him to get their money back.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh