Legal Question in Traffic Law in Colorado

Liability for damage in accident

Hi,

I recently sold a vehicle to someone I know, after letting her drive it a couple of months to see if she wanted it. She agreed to buy it, paid me, and I gave her the signed title. It still had my plates but she promised to change the registration over to her name immediatly. On this I cancelled my insurance. Unfortunately she had only changed over the title and kept using my plates (without my permission), procrastinating getting it registered. Last weekend she'd let a 16-year old drive it to the store, with several under-age passengers including her son, and they were involved in a bad accident which was the 16-year old drivers fault. My plates were still on the vehicle. Can I be held liable in any way for damages?


Asked on 4/26/04, 1:23 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Colt Colt Law Firm, P.C.

Re: Liability for damage in accident

Hello. Under the facts that you have stated, you will most likely not have any liability. Because you transferred ownership of the vehicle to her and because she paid you for the vehicle, the vehicle became hers. The fact that she failed to transfer title into her name or get new plates does not make you liable. As long as you no longer owned the vehicle or did not give permission to anyone to use or drive the vehicle, you probably will have no problems.

I hope this helps you. David Colt

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Answered on 4/27/04, 5:25 pm


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