Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

My friend loaned her car to her son. Her son crashed into a freeway divider. He was DUI at the time. The state initially sent a $200 bill for the divider damage but then increased that to about $23,000 due to some materials for the divider being expensive. The son is uninsured and has no funds. The CA State is going after my friend for the bill (deep pockets?). Of course she does not want to pay, did not do anything wrong other than loaning her car to her son. What can she do in order not to pay the bill?

Thanks,


Asked on 10/20/09, 7:24 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

See the answer I gave to the other posting of you question [why ask twice?]. If she knew he was uninsured, sometimes drove under the infliuence, or was a poor driver, then she would be at fault for negligent entrustment. It is her car so she is responsible for it.

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Answered on 10/20/09, 8:25 pm
BRUCE NELSON BRUCE E. NELSON ATTORNEY AT LAW

If she had insurance and her son had her permission to drive her car and he was not excluded as a driver under her policy then her insurance might cover it.I would need to know more of the underlying facts to provide a sound opinion.Ca law limits the financial liablilty of a registered owner who is not driving the vehicle to $15,000 despite the limits of whatever policy there is

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Answered on 10/20/09, 9:11 pm


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