Passengers get hurt in car accidents too, and they should be compensated if they end up missing work and having large medical expenses to worry about. Who can the passengers of a vehicle sue though? A Prince George’s County auto accident lawyer from our firm can help you figure out how to pursue damages, and then we can help you fight for the best possible outcome.
What Should Passengers Do After a Crash?
When you get hurt in an accident, you want to begin building a case right away. You should:
- Call the cops to the accident scene
- Take pictures of the scene, the cars, and your injuries
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact information
- Get insurance info from all drivers involved
Then you should get medical treatment as soon as you possibly can. Keep all records about your treatment, request a copy of the police report from the accident, and then consider talking to a personal injury attorney.
Who Should Passengers Sue After an Accident?
After an accident, passengers should sue the negligent driver. Unfortunately, this might mean that you have to sue your friend or family member if they were the one who was found responsible for the crash. This can be awkward, but you should not think of it this way.
You are not really suing someone close to you. You are suing their insurance company. Your friend or family member has made payments to this insurer month after month, and now it’s time for their policy to actually get used. The insurance company might try to lowball you with an inadequate initial offer, but a lawyer from our firm can help you fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Can I Be Blamed for the Accident?
Unfortunately, blaming you for the accident is probably going to be an insurer’s first step. The state of Maryland uses a contributory negligence rule. If you contribute to an accident in any way, you cannot recover damages. Even if you are one percent responsible, you lose your chance at compensation!
You were just a passenger, so it may be harder to show that you contributed to an accident. You should not be surprised if an insurance company tries to pin some of the blame on you anyway though. A lawyer could argue that you distracted the driver or did something else to help cause the crash.
This is another reason why you should strongly consider hiring an attorney of your own. Our firm can defend you from any accusations and will do everything possible to ensure that you do not lose your chance to pursue compensation.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’re ready to pursue compensation, contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. and schedule your consultation. This initial appointment is free, but what you learn could help you secure the compensation that you deserve. We look forward to reviewing your case and legal options with you.
