Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Liability when hit by a car

My 14 year old son was hit by a car when crossing the street to retrieve a basketball he looked before crossing from behind a car that was stopped at a traffic light he didn't see anyone than went to get the ball he jumped out of the way of the car and landed on the windshield which shattered on impact and was thrown into ditch. He was given a ticket for pedestrian in the roadway. I am trying to find out if we can be held liable for damages to the vehicle that hit him


Asked on 5/16/05, 2:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Liability when hit by a car

Parents are usually only responsible for what are characterized as the willful torts of their

children 14 years to the age of majority or something that approximates this range. A willful tort is legal lingo for a civil wrong deliberately committed by the perpetrator against the person and/or property of another.

You son's apparently negligent actions which resulted in the breaking of the car windshield

would not qualify as a willful tort.

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Answered on 5/16/05, 3:16 pm


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