Legal Rights of Passengers in Car Accidents

Legal Rights of Passengers in Car Accidents

When a car accident happens, drivers can be injured, but so can their passengers. In the event of a car accident where you were a passenger and you were harmed, knowing your rights in this situation is important. There are tens of thousands of Americans killed in car accidents every year and millions injured. Many of these car accident victims are passengers.

It may be possible for passengers who are hurt in car accidents to obtain compensation for the damages they sustained. Since the claims process can be complicated, an attorney can help car accident victims protect their rights to compensation. The Oklahoma City car accident attorneys at the Putnam Law Office can assist you with your claim.

Passenger Rights After an Oklahoma Car Accident

Legal Rights of Passengers in Car AccidentsDrivers of the car a passenger was in, or another driver may be liable for a passenger’s damages after an Oklahoma car accident. A passenger or any individual who is harmed by the negligence of another party has to prove four key elements to be successful if they decide to file a claim. These are:

  1. Another party had a duty of care and obligation to behave in a way that would not harm you.
  2. Another party breached their duty of care.
  3. Another party’s breach of their duty of care is what caused your accident.
  4. You suffered damages as a result of your accident.

Passengers should seek medical attention after a car accident to obtain a correct diagnosis of their injuries and get the treatment they need to start the recovery process. Keeping all doctor’s reports and documentation of medical treatment is critical to supporting a claim. Additionally, passengers should, if they are able, collect evidence such as pictures of their injuries, the accident scene, the vehicles that were involved in the accident, the road conditions, and any other relevant information regarding the accident. Police reports and employment records can also be useful in a car accident injury claim.

When filing a claim, it is essential to identify and calculate all of the economic and noneconomic losses that were suffered. This puts a value to a claim. However, since Oklahoma is an at-fault state that follows a comparative negligence system, the amount of compensation that can be received will be reduced by any percentage of fault that a passenger is deemed to have. For example, if the amount of compensation you are demanding for the totality of your damages is $100,000, but you are 20% responsible for causing the car accident, then you would receive $80,000.

Speak to an Attorney at the Putnam Law Office Today

Passengers can be seriously injured and even lose their lives in a car accident. When the negligence of a driver of a car or another party is what led to an accident that caused your injuries, as a passenger, you have rights. An Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer at the Putnam Law Office can meet with you to discuss your case and advise you on what options you have to obtain the highest amount of compensation. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced and resourceful attorney, please call (405) 849-9149 today.

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