Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Auto Liability Question

Ex-husband buys our 16 yr old son a vehicle; it is registered in my ex-husband's name. The ex-husband purchases the auto insurance. Son gets into an accident. Can I be sued also ??? Even though it wasn't my car??? What are the chances of an award against me when it was the ex-husband who purchased the car.

I have 100% physical custody - 50% legal custody of my kids.

Thank you.


Asked on 11/18/02, 1:42 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Robert Miller Robert L. Miller & Associates, A Law Corporation

Re: Auto Liability Question

Thank you for your inquiry. Your question really has nothing to do with the custody or visitation of your children.

If you are on the title, you can be sued, even if you had nothing to do with the accident. If you were married at the time of the accident, you could be liable as a community property debt.

None of these apply from the facts you've stated, so there would not be a chance for you to be found liable, unless there is some other tie to liability or ownership that you have not mentioned.

Best of luck, and please email me directly if you have any further questions.

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Answered on 11/18/02, 4:46 pm
Mitchell Roth MW Roth, Professional Law Corporation

Re: Auto Liability Question

You're okay as long as you don't do something which can be viewed as negligence and which causes or contributes to the accident.

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Answered on 11/18/02, 11:07 pm


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