Who is Responsible for Accidents if the Vehicle is Not Transferred but an Agreement is Signed?

[KingLee]

If a vehicle is not transferred but an agreement is signed stating that the transferee assumes responsibility for accidents, the transferee shall compensate for personal injuries caused to others, including reasonable expenses for medical treatment, nursing, transportation, nutrition, hospitalization subsidies, and income loss due to missed work. In cases where a vehicle is sold and delivered without registration transfer, the buyer, as the de facto owner, has actual possession and control of the vehicle, and enjoys all its benefits. Therefore, the buyer, as the actual owner, has taken possession and use of the vehicle. For the original owner, although they remain the registered owner, they have lost operational control and benefits of the vehicle due to its delivery. The vehicle is effectively out of their control. Thus, if a traffic accident occurs during the buyer's use and management of the vehicle, the original owner, who is not at fault, is not liable; the buyer shall bear the compensation responsibility.