New York, NY asked in International Law for New York

Q: A friend got hit by a car from an embassy - do they have immunity or can I sue them?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
Answered
  • International Law Lawyer
  • Potomac, MD

A: I’m away from my desk as I read this, so I can’t give you citations, but the U.S. required all diplomats to obtain auto insurance after some fairly nasty accidents in D.C. in the late Eighties or early 90’s. Before then, most embassies carried insurance anyway, but it is now required. Sovereign immunity still applies above the insured coverage, and there are a few tiny “gotcha” wrinkles, so this is not best pursued pro se. Get a lawyer who knows both litigation and has dealt with International.

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