Q: Do parents have to pay medical bills for accidents that happened as a minor?
My boyfriend was passenger in a car accident while being a minor. Lots of medical bills and injuries. His father settled a claim for a few grand that went to my boyfriend, and towards some of the bills. Suddenly thousands of other dollars in bills are coming in, and his father is trying to tell him that now he’s 18, he has to pay them because they’re in his name. Is it truly his responsibility, or his fathers?
Also, the 18 year old driver in the accident never got any tickets, no injuries, no points. Nothing. He ran a stop sign, over 55mph, nearly killed his passenger, and he gets to walk away with no justice. Is there anything we could do about that that would have a chance to win? (Ticket for the accident was never turned in by police due to the father of 18 year old being friends with the officer. “I’ll take care of it” he said at the accident.)
A:
Your boyfriend may be able to still make his own claim against the driver that caused the collision, but, that means the insurance company would then sue his father to recoup the settlement that he entered into on your boyfriend’s behalf. It’s not guaranteed that he may have this option available to him as there are numerous factors to consider.
Talk to an attorney who may be able to give your boyfriend a better idea about his options.
Good luck.
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