Emery Brett Ledger Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 3, 2025

Thanks for sharing those details—this is a serious situation with potential legal consequences, and I want to be clear and supportive here.

Since this happened in California, where we are licensed, I can tell you that leaving the scene of an accident—especially one involving... View More

Adam Klugman Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 3, 2025

If you left the scene without giving your name, contact info, or insurance info to the other drivers, or if you didn't contact the police if you were unable to give your info to the drivers, you could be charged with the crime of leaving the scene of an accident under California Vehicle Code... View More

1. Hire a criminal defense attorney. You have admitted to hit and run, which is potentially a felony. 2. Start cooperating with your insurance company. You and your father have a contractual obligation to do so. If you do not, your insurer can refuse to defend or indemnify you, leaving you... View More

Emery Brett Ledger Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 16, 2025

Thank you for sharing the details of the incident. We understand how stressful and overwhelming a situation like this can be, especially when it involves injuries to both yourself and your family members.

Based on the information you've provided, your inquiry involves complex legal and... View More

If it’s in your ex’s name, it might be his car. However, you were driving. You had an accident. It’s your responsibility. It’s also your ex’s responsibility as the apparent vehicle owner who let you drive the car with his permission.

There are legal issues surrounding the non-permissive user--you should hire your own attorney before taking any action.

The good news, your liability is limited and is likely to be covered by your insurance (though there may be issues as to negligent entrustment). Again, your own... View More

"Unauthorized" can mean a couple of different things. 1. You let someone, who was excluded from your policy, drive your vehicle. 2. Someone took your car without permission.

Under Option 1, you are responsible for the harm caused, up to the limits of ownership liability in... View More

There are several red flags that indicate cause for concern, and others do not.

The portion coming from your own insurance company would not be included in the release.

It is unclear why the settlement is no longer $100,000.

Liens can be negotiated, in some situations,... View More

In California, leaving the scene of an accident even a minor one like your low-speed collision at a stop sign can carry serious implications. Under Vehicle Code Section 20001, if an accident results in injury, drivers are required to stop, exchange information, and offer reasonable assistance.... View More

My California colleagues have very thoroughly and excellently covered important points to consider. The only thing I'd emphasize, since your question straddles the "Personal Injury" and "Car Accidents" categories, is that a major consideration from a CIVIL standpoint will... View More

In California, unless you were legally married or in a registered domestic partnership, you do not automatically have inheritance rights to your late partner’s accident settlement under intestate succession laws. However, if the settlement includes wrongful death compensation and you were... View More

It would be prudent to do as the below attorney suggests and file a case for yourself. You can go to the county court's website and do a name search. Once you find the complaint it should give you all the information you want. The county will either be the county where the accident occured or... View More

All those factors are important, how much you suffered, what medical treatment you need, what medical treatment you had, what medical treatment you need in the future, and the amount of the adverse driver's insurance, and your under-insured motorist insurance. It also depends on the attorney,... View More

That was 28 years ago. Any statute of limitation has long since expired. Your mother likely sued for wrongful death of your brother, and was likely awarded the policy limits of the drunk driver. Even if you were within the statute of limitations, there is likely no other money to collect. It is... View More

Any policy issued in 2025 has to comply with the new rates. Since the policy with which you are dealing was issued in 2024, it can be a $15k/$30k policy. A consultation with an attorney may be appropriate to help determine if there are other potential sources of recovery.

This question is asked all the time on this forum because everyone blames the other driver... so this is a common issue. Police departments are generally immune from lawsuits for writing "faulty reports". No assist from the DA. Case closed. Why did the police blame your bf? You can take... View More

The driver is probably liable, but your relative's conduct would have to be examined. There are hypothetical situations in which your relative might be entirely at fault. However, liability is not binary, yes or no. It is on a scale from 0% fault to 100% fault. All of the facts of the... View More

Yes, its normal. The chance that another another will want to take over now is almost 0%, unless you want to pay an hourly fee, which would almost certainly be prohibitively expensive. There are no steps you can take. This is in the hands of the companies asserting the liens and medical billing... View More

There is nothing to do now except allow your insurer to handle the claim. Attempts to transfer assets into other names will be deemed fraudulent. Further, based upon your description, such efforts are completely unnecessary. The amount for which a case settles compared to the original settlement... View More

If liability is solely on the other party, the two of you should be able to handle things solely through the other side's insurance. If the other side gave their carrier a statement, and the carrier is satisfied with the account of the accident, they could work with you - that would probably... View More