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Legally liable for minors.?
Hypothetical question regarding parents being legally liable for the actions of their children. A 17 year old who still lives at parent's home goes out and buys a car, registers it under their own name and insures it under their own name. If that child gets into an accident which is their fault, can the other party sue the parents as well for damages (say the child's insurance limit was insufficient)? Would it make a difference if the child was not living at parent's home?
2 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Parents remain responsible for their children until the age of majority, the kid is legally emancipated, or they've been placed in the care of another adult.
- 1 decade ago
Agreed. Parents remain civilly liable for their children's actions until the age of majority or the kid gets legally emancipated.
Also, is the age of majority 17 in your state? If not, then I'd also explore whether the insurance company or car dealership was liable for selling a car and insuring said car to a 17 year old. The age of majority in my state is 18.
The mere fact that the child doesn't live with his parents may not mean anything. I think the more overriding concern for the state is whether the parents are in a position to control/influence what their child does. If so, then the state wants the parents to control their kids. Thus, a parent might not be able to control a kid living away from them, but if the kid is still underage and the parents have contact (through visits, providing financial support, etc), then I'd say the parents would still be liable.
