My mother lives with me and my husband. She still drives, but if she is in an accident, can I be sued? She has not been claimed as a dependent but we do provide a residence for her. If we did claim her as a dependent could we be sued?
You need to be careful nowadays. Within the past few months, there was an elderly man made the news nationwide. He was driving the wrong way in the highway. The cops were pursuing him and he kept driving in the oncoming lane. They had to do the pit maneuver and even had gunshot fired. I remember how every newscaster said he had dementia - and 100% of them kept asking, "Where was his family? Why did they allow him to drive?" So, you need to be very very careful nowadays. Because more and more people will not look at the dementia elderly person to be blamed - but to the family.
I would take steps to try to stop from driving. Approach her doctor (who can alert DMV or send a notice, etc...) Or contact DMV and see what can be done. Get names, dates and what was discussed. This will be your back-up document that you tried to stop her from driving.
If you know she is driving badly, or if you know she has a medical condition or medications that affect driving ability, get her off the road. Ask your DMV to give her a road test.
Is your mother's vehicle titled in her name only? Is her car insurance under her name only? If the answers are yes, chances are then you wouldn't be sued. Google "if an elder has a accident can children be sued?" to get some more answers.
If you are worried that you would still be sued, look into getting an umbrella policy which is worth $1M or get the $2M policy. These policies are quite affordable. I pay around $250 a year for my $2M policy.
If you are unsure about your Mom's driving, since you asked such questions but then again parents of a teenager would be asking similar, but your Mom's driving has become questionable, such as you are afraid to ride with her, it would be time to take her off the road. Taking away her independence won't be easy :(
I would take steps to try to stop from driving. Approach her doctor (who can alert DMV or send a notice, etc...) Or contact DMV and see what can be done. Get names, dates and what was discussed. This will be your back-up document that you tried to stop her from driving.
If you are worried that you would still be sued, look into getting an umbrella policy which is worth $1M or get the $2M policy. These policies are quite affordable. I pay around $250 a year for my $2M policy.
If you are unsure about your Mom's driving, since you asked such questions but then again parents of a teenager would be asking similar, but your Mom's driving has become questionable, such as you are afraid to ride with her, it would be time to take her off the road. Taking away her independence won't be easy :(