Makawao, HI asked in Car Accidents, Civil Litigation and Collections for North Dakota

Q: My son damaged a vehicle while at school. What is my responsibilities and what are my rights in the matter?

My son damaged a vehicle while at school. I wasn't informed till the next day. I was told i wouldn't have to pay anything. Few days later I received a letter from the insurance company and they want $1500 and that if i dont pay they’ll take my drivers license. Never received a call from law enforcement like i was informed i would. I asked to see evidence of the ‘damage’ and never got a response but i keep getting calls from the company wanting money. What can i do?

2 Lawyer Answers
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Wyomissing, PA

A: Send a polite but crisp letter asking them to provide proof of the damage. However, if you have homeowners or vehicle insurance you will want to hand this over to them. If your son did the act, you may wish to consider talking to a therapist/counselor about how to appropriately discipline your son by which I mean the ways that may be counter-instinctual but work better than the instinctive ways we all wish to use to reach out and touch the youth.

Peter D Morowski
Peter D Morowski
Answered
  • Collections Lawyer
  • Dickinson, ND
  • Licensed in North Dakota

A: There are several things about this that are unusual. Are you saying you received a letter from the insurance company for the other car or your insurance company? I find it odd that an insurance company is threatening to "take your driver's license." An insurance company does not have that power. Assuming it is a letter from the other insurance company, I would recommend you contact you insurance company. Have you verified that your child actually damages a vehicle? Assuming he did not hit or damage a vehicle this could be a scam. Again I recommend speaking with your insurance company and/or have an attorney review this situation in more detail.

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