Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Automobile Accident Lawsuit

My 18 year old daughter was driving with her 2 friends on the highway on a rainy night. She somehow hit a tree branch, and caused the tire to burst. A year and 1/2 later, her 2 friends have now filed a lawsuit naming me and my daughter as the defendants. I had transferred ownership of the car 2 months prior to the accident (DMV records can verify this). My daughter was 18 years old at the time of the accident, and she was not living in my home. The only thing that I was providing for her was insurance coverage for the car. Am I indeed a party to this lawsuit, merely because I was providing insurance coverage? I have been served a ''summons citation'', and have responded with a letter explaining these facts.

Thank you for your assistance.


Asked on 4/09/03, 10:41 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Sheldon G. Bardach Law Offices of Sheldon G. Bardach

Re: Automobile Accident Lawsuit

If you had insurance on the car, let the insurance company defend you. That is what you have been paying them premiums for.

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Answered on 4/09/03, 11:23 am
Chris Johnson Christopher B. Johnson, Attorney at Law

Re: Automobile Accident Lawsuit

Your letter will not be sufficient, but your insurance company should defend you in this matter, so turn the summons over to them immediately so they can file an answer on your behalf.

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Answered on 4/09/03, 12:20 pm


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