ketcdad

In August my brother's mother-in-law passed away. My brother and sister-in-law asked if we would like her car since they know we are having car problems and can't afford to get the car properly fixed since my wife lost her job in May. I was very grateful and said yes. They were just giving us the car. It's a 1990 Buick LeSabre that was always dealer serviced with only 85,500 miles. After some delay with probate court we finally got the car on October 13. I got it back to Missouri and had it inspected on Oct. 16, had to pay $144.00 to have new brake lines installed. Got the car titled and licensed on Wed. Oct 17.

My 17 y.o. son was driving the car on Monday 10/22. It was raining all day. On a road with two lanes going in each direction, he crested a hill. He went 2/10's of a mile and rear-ended another car. Now the Buick that we've had titled in our name for 5 days is totaled! The Buick was worth approx. $1900. My son says he doesn't remember how this happened. He says he wasn't on the phone (my two daughters, 15 & 10 were with him and also say he wasn't on the phone). The speed limit on this stretch of road is 35mph. From the crest of the hill to the accident site is 2/10's of a mile. It's a straight clear view. I believe he was inattentive and therefore hit the car and that he should be grounded.

My wife and he say that it was an accident, meaning he didn't mean to crash into another vehicle, and therefore, since it is accidental in nature that he shouldn't be punished.

I don't even know what to tell my brother and sister-in-law. Their generosity has been overwhelming since my wife lost her job. They even gave me a $100 check when we picked up the car.