Passengers in traveling via vehicle or on a motorcycle can receive severe injuries as a result of a car accident. Passengers are at the mercy of the driving skill, decision making and awareness level of the driver of their vehicle and other drivers on the road. Even a simple driving error like a wrong turn or failure to make a proper lane change can result in devastating injuries for everyone in the car. When passengers suffer injuries caused by the negligence of their driver or the driver of another vehicle, they have the legal right to seek compensation for their injuries in a personal injury lawsuit.
Sometimes, it is difficult to determine who is at fault in a car accident involving multiple drivers and passengers. If you have suffered an injury as a passenger in a North Carolina car accident the experienced attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC can help.
Our attorneys have the resources and experience to conduct a thorough investigation into the facts of our client's cases. We interview witnesses to the accident, comb through the police report, and acquire any video or other relevant and helpful evidence. Depending on the facts of the situation you may have a right to compensation for your injuries. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today to schedule your initial consultation.
Legal Rights of Passengers Injured in Charlotte Car AccidentsPassengers are entitled to compensation for any injuries caused by the negligent or reckless driver. More than one party could be at fault for the injuries caused by car accidents. Injured parties have a legal right to bring a lawsuit against any and all at-fault parties whose negligence played a part in causing the accident. For example, the passenger’s driver could have been driving recklessly and collided with a driver who was driving at an excessive speed. The injured party can sue both negligent drivers for damages.
Seeking Compensation Through Car Accident InsurancePassengers who suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents have a right to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. North Carolina drivers are legally required by the State of North Carolina to carry minimum amounts of car insurance. Although not all drivers carry the legally required amount of car insurance, many do carry insurance.
While injured parties have a right to file a claim with the at-fault driver, insurance companies often deny claims. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that deny claims whenever possible. In other circumstances, insurance companies offer significantly less money than a claim is worth to the injured party. When insurance companies fail to provide a fair settlement amount to passengers injured in car accidents, the attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC can help.
Our attorneys have extensive experience negotiating assertively with car insurance companies. Our skilled personal injury attorneys are familiar with all of the ways that car insurance companies seek to deny claims. Our clients often feel overwhelmed when attempting to file car insurance claims.
What Happens if the Driver Who Caused the Accident is a Friend or Relative?When the driver of a vehicle is a family friend or relative, seeking compensation can make some people feel awkward. However, it is usually necessary for the injured person to file a claim against the driver’s insurance company. The driver’s insurance company has a legal duty to pay for all car accident-related injuries that the passenger suffered, regardless of the relationship between the driver and the passenger.
Thus, a child who suffers injuries due to her parent’s driving has a right to file a claim against his or her parent’s car accident company for his or her injury. An injured child has a right to file a claim for all medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. In the same way, if two spouses are in a car accident, one injured spouse can file a claim against the insurance company of the spouse who was driving at the time the accident occurred.
Children Injured as Passengers in Car AccidentsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2009, 179,000 children age 14-years and younger suffered injuries in car accidents in the U.S. That year, 1,314 children died as a result of car accidents. If you or your child has suffered an injury as a passenger in a motor vehicle, hiring a skilled car accident attorney can help you manage the process and maximize your recovery.
At Arnold & Smith, PLLC our Charlotte personal injury attorneys have the necessary experience to skillfully represent passengers injured in car accidents. Time is of the essence in personal injury lawsuits. Call us now at 704.370.2828 to speak with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and our new location in Monroe.