Legal Question in Personal Injury in New York

I totaled my friend's 1996 Toyota Camry that has 196,000 Miles in Rochester, NY. How much do I pay him? He gave me permission to borrow his car, and he only has Liability for insurance. The car is in his father's name registered in Georgia, but we are here in Rochester NY. Do I pay him the blue book value of the car, the fair market value of the car or the $2700 he's asking for? Because $2700 is more than the value of the car and the estimate to fix the car is about $3000. The car is worth at its best $1500. What should I do?


Asked on 10/19/09, 3:57 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Jason Stern Law Offices of Jason Stern

This is more of a friendship question than a legal question. If you value your friendship, take responsibility for wrecking the car and pay him what he's asking. If you don't, offer to pay the blue book value and nothing more. If he sues you, he probably won't get more than the value of the car.

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Answered on 10/24/09, 4:06 pm
Antoinette Wooten The Wooten Legal Consulting, PC

Since this is a friend, I would recommend reaching a compromise. It would be fair for you to offer to pay for a replacement for him.

Since the car is not worth the $2,700 that he is asking for, you should be able to find a similar replacement for a reasonable cost.

This should take care of both of your concerns.

Patricia Martin-Gibbons

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Answered on 10/27/09, 6:44 pm


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