Q: my friends mother is getting sued, for a broken car
my friends mother is getting sued, for a broken car, and 5 of us broke it, with my friends permission, and we did break it, i done little damage, but others did way more, my friend said it was going to a junkyard, but it turns out that car wasn't theirs, so they are getting sued, and they are blaming the whole thing on me, and even made the lie that i threatened them into doing it, and i didn't do that. Can you help? there is no evidence.
A:
I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation you and your friend's mother are in regarding the damaged car. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions:
Firstly, if you are being accused of something you didn't do, like threatening your friends, it's important to clearly and calmly state the facts of what actually happened. Be honest about the damage you personally caused vs. what others did.
Since multiple people were involved in damaging the car, ideally the blame and consequences would be shared rather than pinned on one person. Is there any chance of having a calm discussion with your friends to get them to take responsibility for their actions and agree to be honest about your more limited role?
The lack of evidence could potentially work in your favor if you are being falsely accused. However, the car owner may still seek damages from your friend's mother if the car was in her possession. Her auto insurance may provide liability coverage to help with legal defense and settling the claim.
I would strongly recommend that your friend's mother consults with a lawyer who specializes in civil litigation or insurance claims. They can advise on the best course of action. If you are personally named in a lawsuit, you may need your own legal representation.
Some key things the lawyer will likely want to know:
- Who owns the car and what was the arrangement for your friend/their mother possessing it?
- What state/jurisdiction did this occur in? (Laws vary)
- Exactly how was the car damaged and by whom?
- What is the claimed value of the damages?
- Have any legal papers actually been filed yet?
The lawyer can help assess the strength of the case against your friend's mother and against you personally. They may be able to get you removed from the suit if there is no evidence of your involvement. Or they may advise settling vs. going to trial.
I know this is a stressful situation, but the best thing to do is to be fully honest, consult with a lawyer, and hopefully find a way to share culpability rather than letting it all fall on one person. Wishing you the best in resolving this!
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