QUESTION

Unauthorized Driver hit my parked. Can I sue them and if so, who?

Asked on Jan 17th, 2013 on Automobile Accidents - Washington
More details to this question:
I went out of state for the holiday (Christmas). I came back in town Christmas night and my vehicle and another vehicle had been hit (both were parked) and the driver bailed and ran according to the police. He was subsequently caught and arrested. I had no insurance on my vehicle and I believe my vehicle is totaled. Due to me not being on the scene when the accident happened my information was not included in the original report. I was informed by the responding officer to the accident over the phone that I needed to call 911 and have an officer come out and get my information. I did as instructed and an officer came and got my information on my car and told me an amendment would be done to the original report. I then called the owner of the vehicle that caused the damages insurance carrier (State Farm) and they advised me that they more than likely would not hold their insured liable due to the fact that the driver was not authorized to drive the vehicle. The owner had in fact given the vehicle to her daughter and the daughter allowed her boyfriend to drive it. He hit the two vehicles. The police traced the vehicle's registration and called the owner and she admitted giving the vehicle to her daughter and they then went to the daughter's house where they apprehended the driver. The daughter lied to the police and said she didn't give him authorization to drive the vehicle and it was later found out that she lied about that and she too was then arrested for making a false statement to the police. It's been three weeks of nothing and I need any guidance you can provide. Thank you.
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7 ANSWERS

You need to make a demand against the driver of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle and the owner's insurance company. If they won't pay your damages, sue them all.
Answered on Apr 24th, 2013 at 12:33 AM

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You can sue the driver and the owner of the vehicle's insurance company.
Answered on Apr 16th, 2013 at 10:30 PM

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James Eugene Hasser
State Farm should cover the damages as long as the daughter was a permissive user of the car. Fill out a SR-13 and send it in to the state spelling out the cost of your damages. Get with the prosecuting authority (district attorney, probably) and tell them about your damages and make sure that restitution to you for them is made part of any sentence imposed on the driver. Good luck.
Answered on Apr 15th, 2013 at 9:00 PM

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Thomas Edward Gates
Retain an attorney to assist you.
Answered on Apr 15th, 2013 at 8:30 PM

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Personal Injury Attorney serving Charlotte, NC at Paul Whitfield and Associates P.A.
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People lie. Sue the driver and the owner of the car and see what happens.
Answered on Apr 15th, 2013 at 1:47 AM

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Ronald A. Steinberg
First, if you have colission coverage on your car, you get YOUR insurance to pay for the repair or replacement. Depending on the law of your state, you may then sue the owner AND the driver of the vehicle that hit yours, to collect anything not covered by your own insurance.
Answered on Apr 14th, 2013 at 9:56 PM

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You should hire an attorney and make a claim against the driver, the daughter and the registered owner of the car. Get your judgment and then proceed to enforce it however you can. It is likely the insurance company will pay up if you push it.
Answered on Apr 14th, 2013 at 8:49 PM

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