Passengers are often victims of car or truck accidents in Georgia. Usually, passengers have no control over a wreck that left them injured so may have rights to file a claim against a number of parties.
The fact a passenger is unlikely to be to blame for an accident he or she is hurt in means a lawsuit can be brought against more potential parties. These include:
- The driver who caused the accident
- The maker of a vehicle or parts of a vehicle that contained unsafe parts.
A trucking company that owns a vehicle
- Local, state, federal municipalities or other public entities for unsafe roads
• The employer of an at-fault driver
As an injured passenger, you may be able to sue the driver of the car you were riding in, or the driver of another car who hit you, or both.
The rights of a passenger in a Georgia auto wreck
The right to sue the insurance companies of two drivers is particularly important if you suffered severe injuries. By claiming against two insurance policies you may receive damages that are higher than the policy limits each driver holds.
It’s important to maximize compensation to cover high medical costs for very serious injuries like head or spinal injuries.
In some cases, a passenger may not want to sue the driver of a car he or she was traveling in because they are a friend or a family member. However, it’s important to maximize the damages you can claim after an auto wreck.
All too often we read about passengers being seriously injured or killed when young people are riding together in cars late at night. A teen driver may be inexperienced or drugs or alcohol may have caused a wreck.
In June, three teens were killed in Stephens County in Georgia, reported The Northeast Georgian.
The Georgia State Patrol identified the victims as driver Tristin Elizabeth Helton, 18, of Clarkesville; and passengers Kennedy Ruthann Wright, 16, of Clarkesville; Macklen-Jace Elijah Alexander, 17, of Martin; and 17-year-old Kainan Terrell Green, Toccoa.
The impact of the crash killed Helton, Wright and Alexander. Green was reported to be critically injured.
Georgia State Patrol said the driver lost control of the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee shortly after midnight. It left the roadway, striking numerous trees.
If you are a passenger who has been injured in a car wreck you should be aware you have a better chance of a successful car crash injury claim than a driver.
Call our Atlanta car wreck accident lawyers for a free consultation today at (404) 913-1529.