Legal Question in Traffic Law in Connecticut

Parent responsible for 19-year old automobile liability?

My 19-year old son lives with us. If he gets into an accident causing injury, damage, etc., which results in a law suit; can we, as parents, also be sued as he has no property to speak of other then his car? My insurance has dropped my umbrella policy due to the fact that he has already had several accidents & they say I could be liable. He is considered a legal adult at 19 - Has no ownership in my home. Could I really be sued?


Asked on 4/02/02, 10:06 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Parent responsible for 19-year old automobile liability?

One who entrusts an automobile to another whom one knows to be accident prone, can be held liable under the legal theory of "negligent entrustment." The easy example is if I know that someone is a drunk, and I let them drive my car, and they cause injury to another, I can be held liable for my irresponsible actions.

Do not let your son drive your car when you know he is irresponsible and liable to cause a collision. He has had several chances. Do not give him any more. Let him arrange for his own car and insurance and you will be off the hook.

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Answered on 4/02/02, 9:33 pm


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