What Are the Legal Options for a Passenger Injured in a Car Accident?

 Posted on May 06, 2020 in Car Accidents

In Illinois, individuals who are hurt in auto accidents caused by recklessness or intentional wrongdoing may choose to bring a personal injury claim against the party responsible for the accident. Often, people assume that car accident injury claims are brought by an injured driver against another driver. However, the claimant in a personal injury case may be an injured driver, passenger, or a pedestrian. A passenger hurt in an accident may bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver even if the at-fault driver was operating the vehicle the passenger was riding in. If you or a loved one were hurt in an auto accident caused by negligence, read on to learn about your right to pursue compensation.

Who is Liable for an Injury-Causing Accident?

Traffic accidents are rarely black and white. There may be a number of factors that led to the accident. Driver inattention, speeding or violation of traffic laws, driving under the influence of alcohol, hazardous weather conditions, and many other elements could all contribute to a serious wreck. It is also possible that more than one person’s actions may have contributed to the accident. 

If you were hurt while riding in a vehicle and the driver of the vehicle you were in is considered to be the at-fault party, you may be hesitant to file a personal injury lawsuit. The at-fault driver may be a good friend, colleague, or even a family member. However, it is essential to understand that an injury claim is not a personal attack on the at-fault driver. In the majority of personal injury claims, the injured party is bringing the claim not against the actual person but against his or her insurance company.

Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries

After a car accident, many insurance companies are quick to offer partial compensation that does not fully account for the injured person’s damages. The injured person or the family of the person killed in the accident may be left with overwhelming losses – both personally and financially. A passenger who sustains severe injuries may need emergency room treatment, extensive hospitalization, and multiple surgeries to repair the damage. He or she may also need ongoing medical care such as physical therapy or psychological counseling. The surviving spouse or other family members of an individual killed in a car accident may also face insurmountable financial harm due to their loss. A personal injury claim may help these individuals recover the compensation they need.

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Lawyer

To learn more about your options for compensation after suffering injuries as a passenger in a major auto accident, contact Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and case assessment with a skilled Waukegan personal injury attorney by calling us at 847-662-3303 today

Source:

https://courts.illinois.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/IL_IPI_Civil.pdf