When riding as a passenger in a vehicle, you expect the driver of the car to not act negligently or recklessly behind the wheel. However, some motorists may not practice safe driving when operating their vehicle or they may become distracted at some point during the ride. If the driver’s negligence leads to a car accident, you may have to deal with a complex car accident claim. If you were a passenger in a vehicle and the driver was involved in a car crash, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer today.
Determining who is liable for your injuries when you were only a passenger in a vehicle can be difficult, but the Reiff Law Firm is here for you. Our firm will help you pursue a claim against the correct parties that caused your injuries. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, call the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
Determining Liability for a Car Crash as a Passenger
If you are involved in a car crash when you were simply a passenger in a vehicle, you may wonder who you can hold responsible for your injuries. The motorist who is liable for your injuries will depend on the circumstances of your case. For example, if your friend began texting while driving and subsequently drove through a red light and caused a T-bone accident, your friend is likely liable for your injuries.
If it appears that the actions of another motorist caused the entire accident, then you should pursue a claim against that individual. Under certain circumstances, the driver in your vehicle and another motorist may be jointly responsible for your injuries.
It is also important to note that a passenger can be partially or fully responsible for their own injuries if they played a role in causing the car crash. For example, if a passenger reached over and grabbed the wheel from the driver, this can affect their claim for compensation.
Determining liability may be further complicated if multiple vehicles were involved in the crash. It can be difficult to determine who initiated the negligent actions that caused multiple vehicles to be struck. That is why you should document as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident.
If you are unsure of how the accident happened, you may be able to speak with a witness who saw the accident. Additionally, if traffic cameras were installed in the near vicinity, requesting the footage from that day may help prove your claim.
To learn more about liability for car accidents and to file a lawsuit for your injuries, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia car crash attorney.
Filing an Injury Claim Against Multiple Drivers
While it may be difficult to imagine, you may have to file a claim against a friend for causing a serious accident that injured you. However, you can run into some issues when pursuing compensation for your injuries. For example, if you are related to the driver, the insurance policy that covers them may also have a clause that provides compensation for family and other passengers injured a crash in their vehicle. It is possible that the owner of the vehicle does not even have to be in the vehicle to receive this protection.
If you choose to file a claim against the other driver instead, their insurance carrier may attempt to minimize your claim for injuries. They may try to do this by arguing that the driver in your vehicle was responsible for causing the accident and that you should pursue them for compensation.
If you are having trouble deciding the appropriate party to file a claim against, you should speak with an experienced car accident attorney. Our firm can help you determine whether you should file a personal injury claim against one or multiple parties. If you were involved in a car accident as a passenger of a driver that works for a ridesharing company like Uber or Lyft, their insurance carrier might offer to compensate you for your injuries.
If you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, you should know that you only have two years to file your case with the court. After this deadline has passed, the court may bar your claim if you attempt to file after the deadline. However, it is possible to delay the filing deadline for your case under certain circumstances. For example, if you were not aware of your injuries until weeks after the accident, this can affect your filing deadline.
Our Experienced Attorneys Will Help You Pursue a Claim
If you or a family member was injured while riding as a passenger in a car, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney today. At the Reiff Law Firm, our injury attorneys possess decades of combined legal experience that we would be honored to use to litigate your personal injury lawsuit. To schedule a free legal consultation, call the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
