My 18 year old daughter and four friends drove to South Carolina (we are in Pennsylvania), using one of the friend's car (in her father's name). My daughter was at a drive-thru window and the vehicle behind her hit them causing a very small scratch on the bumper. The police were called and said that they could not determine fault (the other driver said my daughter backed up) because it was his word against hers. The father wants us to pay for the damages; however, my daughter offered insurance information at the time of the accident and the police told her it wasn't necessary because in South Carolina the OWNER is liable, and in this case each for their own vehicle. Who is responsible for the damages?

Hello tammy:

Your daughter heard wrong. Even in South Carolina, the person who causes damage to another's car is going to pay. Therefore, the guy who hit her from behind is responsible. Did she get HIS insurance information, or his name and address?

If she didn't, or you otherwise can't collect from him, your daughter is responsible.

excon

That is odd. In a rear end collision the rear ender is almost always considered at fault. Basically, what happens at this point is the car owner puts in a claim through his insurance. His insurance will then contact the other driver's insurance and your daughter's insurance to cover the claim.

Your daughter's car was hit in the rear. That should be an open-and-shut case. The owner of the car your daughter was riding in should sue the owner of the other car pronto.