Lawyers Representing Injured Car Passengers in Accident Cases

A passenger in a car or on a motorcycle is at the mercy of the vehicle operator to keep them safe from collisions. Errors made by a driver can quickly turn into tragedy when the vehicle collides with another car or is involved in a single-car accident.

Passengers can be seriously injured through no fault of their own when the driver of the vehicle or other cars or trucks on the road drive recklessly or negligently. The law readily accepts that a motorcycle or car passenger cannot cause or prevent a traffic accident.

All passengers injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents have the legal right to seek financial compensation through the car insurance held by the at-fault driver who caused the crash. The injured party can file a personal injury claim to pay for their medical bills, hospitalization expenses, time away from work, pain, and suffering.

Hiring a Chicago Injured Car Passenger Attorney

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC knows the dangers faced by passengers in car accidents. Each attorney for injured car passenger in Chicago represents accident victims with serious injuries and family members who lost a loved one through wrongful death who are harmed or killed in an Illinois car accident.

Our personal injury lawyers represent accident victims with serious injuries. We currently represent clients throughout Illinois, including in Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, Cicero, Elgin, Aurora, and Schaumburg.

Injured Car Passenger FAQs

Legal Rights of Passengers Injured in Chicago Car Accidents

A passenger injured in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to pursue a cause of action against all negligent parties that caused or contributed to their injuries. A personal injury law firm working on behalf of injured passengers can determine who is at fault before seeking recovery for damages and injuries.

The driver of the vehicle or other motorists involved in the collision might be held legally and financially responsible for causing the crash. It might be necessary to review the applicable insurance coverage for all parties to maximize the amount of insurance coverage that is available, especially in cases involving significant injuries.

Claims Against Friends and Family for Negligent Operation of Vehicles

Let's face it, most of us don't ride in a stranger's car or get on the back of a motorcycle of someone we just met. Most passengers are family members or friends with the driver of the vehicle. As a result, many seriously injured car passengers are hesitant to pursue a claim with the driver's insurance carrier- let alone file a lawsuit against that person who was operating the vehicle involved in the collision.

The Role of Auto Insurance in Car Passenger Injury Claims

Despite the initial awkwardness of filing a claim against a relative or good friend, the reality is that most motor vehicle claims are paid directly by the insurance company for the driver or owner of the vehicle and not out of the driver's assets.

The motorist responsible for the collision is a party who must resolve a claim under the law. The driver's insurance company has a contractual obligation to pay for all crash-related injuries that a passenger suffered — regardless of their relationship with the driver.

Consequently, as challenging as it may be to understand, a child/passenger in a car accident caused by a parent has a right to recover damages for their injuries, including medical expenses, pain, and suffering as well as lost wages.

Similarly, one spouse has a right to recover damages from the other spouse if their negligence caused an accident. In some cases, the insurance company might be unwilling to settle the claim out of court.

However, auto and motorcycle insurance policies require that the insurance carrier provides an attorney for the driver (policyholder) to represent him or her in court. The policy must pay for any judgment against all victims without ever taking monies from the driver's savings.

Children Passengers Injured in Auto Accidents

Sadly, children are often passengers who suffer the most severe injuries in vehicle accidents. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents are the leading killer of children in the United States. In 2017, 675 children under 12-years of age died, and nearly 116,000 were injured in auto accidents.

Dealing with an injured child harmed in a car accident can be challenging for family members, friends, or caregivers. The emotional, physical, and financial toll can be life-altering, especially if the child was suffering from traumatic brain injury or disfigurement.

An experienced Chicago car accident attorney can handle negotiations involving the child's injuries like all other personal injury accident cases, even if the child's parent is at fault for the accident. An attorney can create a buffer between the parents and the legal situation regarding financial compensation paid to someone close to them.

Contacting an Attorney for Injured Car Passengers in Chicago, Illinois

Were you or a family member a passenger in a car, bus, or motorcycle accident in the State of Illinois and suffered severe injuries? If so, it is essential to receive immediate medical attention and speak to attorneys who specialize in passenger personal injury cases.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represents car crash passengers to resolve their claims against other drivers successfully. Our rapid response and know-how help us gather crucial evidence and eyewitness accounts on how the accident occurred so we can determine who is at fault or responsible for the crash.

Contact our law office at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) for real-time assistance. Please speak with a real person to a free consultation with our skillful Chicago car accident lawyers to discuss your legal options. We accept all cases on a contingency fee basis. This agreement ensures that we never charge a fee without obtaining fair compensation for you.

Your discussions with our personal injury attorneys will remain confidential through an attorney-client relationship. Our Chicago auto accident attorneys currently follow social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Resources:

• CDC Child Passenger Safety Tips
• NHTSA Speeding Facts and Statistics
• NHTSA 2016 Speeding Fatalities Facts