Q: Am I liable for accidents caused by buyer of my vehicle?
Hi：
I sold my car to a private party on Craigslist in September 2019, and recently was contacted by an insurance agent due to the buyer got into a car accident. This buyer does not have insurance and has not completed the ownership transfer with DMV, and as such the vehicle is still registered under my name. The insurance agent is from the other party that this buyer got into an accident with.
I submitted a Release of Liability with DMV after selling the vehicle and only have a screenshot showing "Thank You" and there are no confirmation number.
At this point am I liable for anything due to the accident caused by this buyer?
Thank you
A:
more info needed.
you have a responsibility to file the necessary papers with DMV showing transfer or title.
absent that you may have liability.
you should consult with a local accident lawyer. Maybe s/he can see if the injured party had UM insurance and can put the claim through their insurance.
A:
First, if you had insurance at the time notify them and let them handle the questions. Go to DMV see what their computer has. Yes, go in person--don't do the online--that's gotten you where you are.
Second, your insurance should have told you to either turn in the plates or cancel registration when you sold the car. If you didn't do that you are still the registered owner. If you have a copy of the title you signed over, great! then you can say you were no longer the owner.
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