Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

Under section 17150 of the California Vehicle Code, you are only liable up to $15,000 for any one person injured in the accident as the registered owner. The amount of liability can be increased if you are found to be negligent in allowing your step-son to drive the car. An example of this would be if he has been in other accidents or has a bad driving record.

The response given is not intended to create, nor does it create an ongoing duty to respond to questions. The response does not form an attorney-client relationship, nor is it intended to be anything other than the educated opinion of the author. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. The response given is based upon the limited facts provided by the person asking the question. To the extent additional or different facts exist, the response might possibly change.

In addition to what my colleague writes, you should tender the summons and complaint to your insurance carrier by fax or mail. Ask it to defend you. Depending on the nature of the case, the attorneys usually are able to settle cases within policy limits, with the plaintiff waiving any further monetary recovery from the insured.