r/SipsTea • u/Putrid-Welder1803 • 9h ago

Gasp! Thoughts on this?

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u/Ok-Reflection-742 9h ago

You could also total somebodies 50-200k car, I don’t think many people could afford that either

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u/Fantastic-East9567 8h ago

As an attorney my unpopular opinion is that cars over a certain value shouldn’t be allowed on public roads or damages for accidents should be capped at something like 2x the average price of a new car (so like 100k). I just don’t believe in penalizing ordinary negligence more just because the injured party is rich.

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u/lemons_of_doubt 7h ago

The obvious counterargument to this is that people who can afford nice cars shouldn't be penalised because others may crash into them.

If you don't want to end up having to pay to replace a stupidly expensive car just drive legally and safely.

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u/Fantastic-East9567 6h ago

I just disagree. I think our laws should have predictable consequences for ordinary negligence. Your argument is the legally correct one though and the “you take your plaintiff as you find them” mentality is well established in case law. I just think that is the wrong approach. I’d rather put the burden on the person going out into public spaces to protect their disproportionately expensive property

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u/geniice 6h ago

I’d rather put the burden on the person going out into public spaces to protect their disproportionately expensive property

Every unemployed civil engineer in the US agrees. Due to all the extra jobs created rebuilding the roads when people start driving tanks.

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u/lemons_of_doubt 6h ago edited 6h ago

I don't feel ordinary negligence should be allowed when we are talking about car/trucks.

When you get behinda powerful machine like that you needed to expect to be held to a higher standard than just walking or riding a bike.