Title: Navigating Vehicle Collisions in Your Private Driveway: Insurance and Liability Considerations
Introduction:
Encountering a vehicle collision on your property can be stressful, especially when it raises questions about liability, insurance coverage, and financial impact. Recently, a homeowner experienced a minor collision between two parked vehicles right in their driveway, prompting important questions about responsibility and the best course of action.
Scenario Overview:
The homeowner, residing in Wayne County, Michigan, lives with their fiancée and her son. One day, the fiancée’s son, a 20-year-old with an active driver’s license and insured under his mother’s policy, was operating his vintage 1974 Ford F100 truck. The truck, a work-in-progress project vehicle, was parked uphill from the homeowner’s 2017 Ford Expedition.
As he exited the truck, the door unexpectedly popped out of gear and rolled backward, colliding with the front corner of the parked Expedition. At the time, the son had just stepped out, as captured clearly on security footage. The incident resulted in significant damage to the Expedition, including a dented bumper, a flat tire, possible damage to aftermarket wheels, the suspension’s A-arm, and other components. Meanwhile, the truck incurred only minor scratches.
Insurance & Liability Questions:
This situation raises important questions: Who bears responsibility for the damages— the vehicle owner, the homeowner’s insurance, or possibly others? Since the vehicle was legally parked, insured, and functioning properly, and the accident occurred immediately after the driver exited, liability can be complex to determine.
Specifically:
– Is the vehicle owner at fault because he was operating the vehicle before the roll-back?
– Does the homeowner’s insurance policy cover damage caused by a vehicle left unattended but still under the driver’s control?
– Could this be considered an act of negligence, or perhaps a non-insured incident under homeowner or auto policies?
Financial Implications:
The homeowner’s Expedition is valued between $12,000 and $14,000, fully paid off, with a broad collision insurance policy having a $1,000 deductible. The damage exceeds that deductible, meaning repairs could be costly. Repair estimates suggest the vehicle might not return to factory condition but would be functional and roadworthy afterward.
From a liability standpoint, if the incident is deemed the driver’s fault, the vehicle owner’s auto insurance would typically cover the repair costs. However, insurance claim processes might impact premiums or history, especially considering the driver’s previous at-f
