Sounds like absolute rubbish to me. I would ask my mum (former police, used to teach traffic law) but I suspect everything's different in the US. Also, she is snoring quietly on the sofa whilst our kitty tries to eat her head. I do know, however, that over here (UK) a woman was prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving not so long ago, when she opened her door without looking and knocked a motorcyclist into the path of oncoming traffic. Surely it can't be that different?

I hope your mum feels better soon. Whoever's fault it was (and I'm pretty sure it was his), car accidents are horrible and mean people just make everything worse. *hugs you both*