Limousine Accident

Limousines are a fun way to ride in style. Sadly, limousine accidents can cause devastating injuries. Limousines are large vehicles, and many limousine passengers do not wear seatbelts. This combination can lead to disastrous effects. Some of the most deadly motor vehicle accidents involve limos. News articles from across the United States have reported the deaths and severe injuries suffered by groups who hire a limo for a fun night out. As a passenger in a limousine, your driver owes you a heightened duty of reasonable care to get you safely to your destination.

If you have suffered an injury as a passenger in a limousine, Charlotte-based Arnold & Smith, PLLC could help. We understand how challenging it is to recover from a limousine accident, especially if your friends and fellow riders also suffered injuries. Our skilled Charlotte personal injury attorneys will fight for your right to compensation so you can focus on physically and emotionally healing from your limousine accident.

There are many causes of limousine accidents, such as:

• The limousine driver is engaged in distracted driving, driving while texting, or driving while eating or drinking
• The limousine driver is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• The limousine driver is distracted by talking or not focusing on the road
• The limousine driver makes a sharp, unsafe turn, runs a red light, or merges or turns unsafely
• The limousine company failed to adequately maintain the limousine’s engine, tires, or brakes resulting in an injury
• The limousine driver fails to stop before the crosswalk and injures a pedestrian
• If too many passengers are riding in the limousine, the extra weight can cause the limousine drive in an unstable and unsafe way
• Another driver negligently causes a collision with the limousine

When a limousine passenger tragically dies as a result of a motor vehicle collision, his or her family may be entitled to compensation. If the limousine driver or another driver's negligence caused an accident that resulted in your family member's death, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Our attorneys can help you throughout the entire legal process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit. We understand that clients need time to grieve the loss of their family member and help take some of the burdens of seeking compensation off of their shoulders. We help our clients who have limousine accident wrongful death claims in the following ways:

• Assessing the full and fair value of their limousine related wrongful death claim
• Investigating the cause of the limousine accident
• Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies who are involved with the claim
• Pressing insurance companies to offer a fair and adequate settlement for our clients
• Determining which parties are at fault for the limousine accident
• Pursuing compensation through a civil lawsuit when necessary

The following groups of people may file a wrongful death lawsuit in North Carolina:

• Spouses, children, or parents of the deceased
• Heirs of the deceased as defined by North Carolina’s inheritance laws
• Any person who inherited part of the deceased’s estate per his will
• Other family members such as siblings and grandparents in some cases

Limousine companies have a duty to hire drivers who are fit for employment. If an employer had actual and constructive knowledge that a limousine driver was unfit for duty when they hired him or her, the employer might be liable for negligent hiring. Proving that an employer engaged in negligent hiring can be challenging. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we are up for the challenge. We thoroughly investigate our client's claims to discover any evidence showing that limousine companies negligently hired the driver that caused a motor vehicle collision.

Successful North Carolina limousine accident and wrongful death plaintiffs are entitled to the following types of compensation:

• Funeral or memorial expenses in the case of an unlawful death
• Past and future loss of income
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Compensation for medical bills
• Punitive damages when a defendant’s actions or negligence is particularly egregious

Those injured in limousine accidents in North Carolina have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you have suffered an injury in a Charlotte limousine accident, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. We are proud to offer three convenient offices located in Charlotte, Mooresville and our new office in Monroe, contact us today to set up your initial consultation.