FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 22, 2018 • THE QUEENS COURIER 63
Q: One morning, my neighbor’s son drove his father’s car through a
picture window in the living room of my house, continued through the back
wall, and eventually came into contact with a tree. My neighbor says that his
son was operating the car without his permission.
A: Under the Vehicle and Traffic Law, there is a presumption that the
operator of a vehicle operates it with the owner’s permission. The presumption
may be rebutted by substantial evidence that your neighbor did not
consent.
Suppose that both father and son swear that the son had no permission.
Nevertheless, a jury is permitted to make its own decision on the
strength and plausibility of these disavowals of permission: there is still room
for doubts that are best left for the jury.
In a typical case, the child had access to the parents’ residence.
Further, a key to the vehicle was kept in a central location inside a bin located
in the kitchen of the parents’ residence. Additionally, on previous occasions,
the parents had permitted the child to drive other vehicles. Thus, the parents
would be unable to overcome the strong presumption pursuant to the Vehicle
and Traffic Law that the child was operating the vehicle with permission.
Also in a typical case, you will submit a claim to your insurer, and
your insurer will compensate you and thereby become your ‘subrogee’ – so
that the legal situation is the concern of your insurance company, and this is
no longer your case. It is the insurer’s.
Carollo Real Estate
WHITESTONE
11-05 154th Street
Whitestone, NY 11357
P: 718-747-7747
Fax: 718-747-7748
SUBROGATION
FLUSHING
199-18 32nd Avenue
Flushing, NY 11358
P: 718-224-3083
Fax: 718-224-3583
GLENDALE
62-12 Myrtle Avenue,
Glendale NY 11385
P: 718-366-6636
Fax: 718-366-2215
Residential
Commercial
3 MLS Services
Open Houses
Internet Marketing
Carollo Rentals
Apartment Rentals
Credit Checks
Court Records
Background Checks
Sex Offender Checks
Professional Agents
Dedicated Website
Carollo Management
Tenant Screening
Oversee Contractors
Landlord/Tenant Court
Open 7 Days
Collection of Rents
24 Hour Emergency Number
Filling of Vacancies