Sold my car on Facebook Marketplace 6 weeks ago and got a letter from an insurance company saying I'm liable for a hit and run
Location: Ohio
Did not expect to be writing this today.
Sold my 2018 Civic on FB Marketplace back in April. Guy paid $7,200 cash, I signed the title over, we did a handwritten bill of sale with his name, license number, everything. Seemed like a totally normal transaction, guy was friendly, nothing felt off.
Got a letter yesterday from a Progressive claims adjuster while playing on my phone saying the vehicle was involved in a hit and run on May 3rd in Columbus and that as the registered owner I may be held liable for damages to the other party. Apparently the buyer never transferred the title into his name.
Called the number on the letter and the adjuster was pretty cold about it, basically said "you're still the registered owner on file." I have the bill of sale, the texts from when we arranged the sale, and I know I signed the title but I did NOT file a Notice of Transfer with the Ohio DMV which I guess I was supposed to do within 30 days.
The phone number the guy gave me is disconnected. His FB profile is still up but he hasn't responded to messages.
How bad is this actually? Does the signed title and bill of sale protect me or does the fact that I didn't file that DMV notice hurt me? And is there anything I should do right now before this goes further