Is the Owner or the Driver Responsible for Potential Accidents?

[swoosh60]

What is the name of your state? WI

My fiance' is having some serious issues with his 24 year old son and sold him his old car when it came time for his son to "move out," several months ago. The car title/registration was never transferred to the son's name (i.e., it's still in my fiance's name) and we're fairly certain there is no insurance being carried on this vehicle.

Given some of the issues we've been dealing with on his son this past week, I'm concerned that if he's in an accident with this vehicle the liability may fall with my fiance' (the registered owner). Could you please tell me if this assumption is correct? If that's the case we need to get some insurance put on this car TODAY until we can get the car registered in his son's name. Also, his son is not communicating with the family nor do we know where he's residing at this point--can we just contact the DMV and do the transfer without his son signing anything?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Zigner]

You probably can't "do the transfer" without his signature, but you can notify the motor vehicle department that you have sold/transfered the vehicle. Contact them directly for further information (by phone or check the internet).
That won't protect you from being sued, but it can protect you from being successfully sued.

[swoosh60]

Thanks for the speedy reply!!!