How to Allocate Repair Costs After Two Car Accidents
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan
Question: A couple of weeks ago, as I was attempting to park my car, I advanced it too much and hit some concrete causing a crack in my front bumper. I did not want to repair it as the front bumper was definitely still in tact with no issues.
Now recently, my friend was driving my car and he hit a snow bank hard which lead to alot of damage in my front bumper which means I now have to replace the full front bumper.
I believe that the initial crack , though small, made it easier for the the full damage to take place later on, because once there is one crack , then any other collisions to that area, it becomes easier for more damage to occur. However we’re not 100% certain, that the initial damage facilitated the later damage.
At this point, who SHOULD pay for the damage? Also, who is OBLIGATED to pay for the damage. The reason I capitalized those words is because I realize there may be a difference.
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,
I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.
The friend who hit the snow bank is liable for the damages, except for the estimated value of the initial crack from the first incident.
And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani
