UPDATE- Fresh hell: son involved in golf cart accident, what do I do?

[Phokus]

OP failed to mention this was the golf cart:

LMAO

 

[dank69]

Can't you just pretend you don't know him?

 

[olds]

Not sure if it was a pole of a junction box at this point. Details are sketchy, I just know of the situation right now.

Enhance

 

[Possessed Freak]

How does a kid break his jaw twice in 6 months. Jesus teach him how to box already!

 

[LTC8K6]

Yeah, if he was given permission to drive the cart, then the accident is the responsibility of the person who allowed him to drive the cart. It will be their insurance company's problem.

We don't know the details though, and the details could make a big difference.

Let's look at it another way. Suppose he is given the cart to drive, and he is injured on their property while driving the cart they let him drive.

Versus, he just took the cart on his own and had no permission...

 

[Fritzo]

How does a kid break his jaw twice in 6 months. Jesus teach him how to box already!

First time he fell against a table after tripping. Second time he thought it would be a good idea to meet a kid to fight. He did and kicked the kid's ass. Later that day the other kid ran out of nowhere and did a running punch to the jaw. The police said "they were both fighting, so nobody's liable" on that one.

 

[Man I Suck]

Why was he driving if he has vision problems and has never driven anything before?

 

[Imp]

This sounds stupid, but we watch Judge Judy a lot, and in these types of accidents, that's exactly what she says. If permission was given for use on private property, the owner is liable. My conscience wouldn't let me offer some sort of compensation however. Homeowners insurance does cover a lot of things (it even covered a can of paint ruining our carpet once), so I'm hoping there's some coverage there. I'll post as more info comes in.

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Not a lawyer, very limited legal understanding, but my guess is this falls under tort/civil law?

Sounds you should get a lawyer if they push it.

 

[tynopik]

1. how old is your son

2. why the hell are you not asking your lawyer?

this isn't the sort of thing you wait to see if someone sues, you need to talk NOW before anyone says anything or offers anything

 

[Fritzo]

1. how old is your son

2. why the hell are you not asking your lawyer?

this isn't the sort of thing you wait to see if someone sues, you need to talk NOW before anyone says anything or offers anything

He's 15 and it just happened. Just seeing if anyone had any experience in this area.

 

[MarkXIX]

OP failed to mention this was the golf cart:

I was scrolling to the bottom of this thread before I posted this picture and then I stopped and laughed. This exactly.

I'm going to speculate, I don't know of any "typical" golf cart that should be able to take down a power pole, especially not without major injury to the driver and/or passengers.

Pics or it didn't happen the way it's being described by your son.

 

[Murloc]

I immediately thought of dank's solution but if he's 15 you're unlucky.

He's got some work to do to pay for all this stuff but in the meanwhile I guess you're on the hook.

Anyway an electricity pole sounds impossible to tear down with a golf cart without destroying the car and the people on it themselves.

If you want to go the 100% honest way, I guess taking pics and writing down the dynamics of the accident is a good idea. Then encrypt and hide it until you know if it's going to hurt you or not.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I have a friend who took out a pole in a car accident...and city charged him to replace it. Dunno if his insurance covered it, but he was liable. I think your kid needs to get a job now.

How did he break his jaw twice?

 

[chubbyfatazn]

How did he break his jaw twice?

First time he fell against a table after tripping. Second time he thought it would be a good idea to meet a kid to fight. He did and kicked the kid's ass. Later that day the other kid ran out of nowhere and did a running punch to the jaw. The police said "they were both fighting, so nobody's liable" on that one.

Is selling the kid an option? No one needs to know...

 

[RampantAndroid]

Is selling the kid an option? No one needs to know...

Derp, I can read. I just choose not to sometimes.

First one is whatever. Second one...well, I'd have been punished SEVERELY if I had done that. Meeting up to fight is absolutely a moronic thing to do.

 

[vi edit]

Also of the opinion wondering how the hell a golf cart can take out a telephone pole. Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[Blanky]

Wait.. Why would home owners insurance cover somebody driving a golf cart into a utility pole? But odds are if your son does happen to be at fault, you'll be liable for repair costs. I'm trying to think of a way you'd be covered, but I'm drawing a blank.

Who ever owns the golf cart, perhaps they have golf cart insurance that would cover damage to, and caused by a driver of said cart?

Because it does. Homeowners' insurance in many (most? all?) includes liability. I have $1m-2M (can't remember) for just such an incident as the one the OP describes. I've no idea if it covers dependents or not but I bet it does, if his kid still is a dependent.

EDIT: Yeah kid is 15. So if his insurance covers dependents as I have to imagine it does and if he has liability which he almost certainly does, he should be good after a deductible.

 

[vi edit]

Note to self....grab that umbrella policy pamphlet the next time I'm at the allstate agents office.

 

[Blanky]

http://www.360financialliteracy.org...homeowners-insurance-cover-personal-liability

Typical homeowners insurance provides limited coverage for personal injuries or property damage to others for which you or members of your family living with you may be legally responsible. The injuries or damages don't have to occur on your property.

Why the OP hasn't called his agent I have no idea, but anyway it sounds like he's good to go.

 

[waggy]

and that is why we don't let people we aren't good friends with ride our carts or such. instead of taking personal responsibility. the kid took out a box (no way in hell a poll) why not pay for it? instead you wan't to put his mistake on someone else's insurance.

 

[BUTCH1]

What kind of golf cart could possibly do that?

Pole is deficient.

Yea, I've driven/rode in dozens of different carts, they max out at around 15-17MPH and their bodies are fiberglass, even honking at full tilt I can't imagine how a standard utility pole could br brought down by one.

 

[Fritzo]

OK, got details:

He backed into a utility pole, and the transformer at the top of the pole fell off (!!!!!!!), taking the lines with it. There was little to no damage to the cart.

At most, we'd be liable for the electrical repairs, but HOW THE HELL DO THOSE THINGS FALL OFF OF POLES WHEN THEY'RE BUMPED???!!! HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!

:|

 

[waggy]

OK, got details:

He backed into a utility pole, and the transformer at the top of the pole fell off (!!!!!!!), taking the lines with it. There was little to no damage to the cart.

At most, we'd be liable for the electrical repairs, but HOW THE HELL DO THOSE THINGS FALL OFF OF POLES WHEN THEY'RE BUMPED???!!! HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!

:|

fuck to me it sounds like you should be raising hell. they aren't sopposed to just fall off. sounds like someone fucked up.

there is no way it was right. a bump SHOULD never knock it off.

 

[Ichinisan]

OK, got details:

He backed into a utility pole, and the transformer at the top of the pole fell off (!!!!!!!), taking the lines with it. There was little to no damage to the cart.

At most, we'd be liable for the electrical repairs, but HOW THE HELL DO THOSE THINGS FALL OFF OF POLES WHEN THEY'RE BUMPED???!!! HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!

:|

Put this in your OP.

Then sue for the stress and anxiety it caused for you.

 

[BUTCH1]

OK, got details:

He backed into a utility pole, and the transformer at the top of the pole fell off (!!!!!!!), taking the lines with it. There was little to no damage to the cart.

At most, we'd be liable for the electrical repairs, but HOW THE HELL DO THOSE THINGS FALL OFF OF POLES WHEN THEY'RE BUMPED???!!! HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!

:|

They just replaced the transformer across the street from me yesterday due to lightning damage, it was bolted on by several large bolts.