What Should I Do If a Passenger Caused My Car Accident?
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Call (800) 863-5312 to Speak with a Tucson Car Accident Attorney for Free
When we take the wheel of a car, we agree to follow the rules of the road and accept liability for any resulting damages or injuries caused by our operation of the vehicle. However, there are the rare instances when a passenger may be the cause of an accident.
If a passenger has become dangerous, the driver has a duty to do everything they can to avoid an accident. Unfortunately, certain behaviors catch a driver off guard and give them no opportunity to prevent a crash. In these cases, the driver may still be responsible, but the guilty passenger could also share the liability.
If you have been injured in a car accident you believe was caused by a passenger, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a Tucson car accident lawyer.
Who Is Responsible for the Car Accident?
Normally, liability rests on the driver. However, if it can be proven that a passenger caused the accident, they too may be held responsible for resulting property damage, injuries, or deaths.
To place liability on a passenger, you must establish that their actions were a direct cause of the accident. It is often difficult to demonstrate that an accident would not have happened if the passenger had not acted unreasonably. Consulting with an experienced car accident attorney is the best way to determine if you can hold a passenger liable.
Simply distracting the driver is not enough to place liability on a passenger. If a driver chooses to engage in lively conversation and takes their eyes off the road resulting in an accident, the passenger is not to blame. For a passenger to be considered the cause of an accident, the passenger must have actively interfered with the driver’s ability to control the car. Some actions that rise above the level of merely distracting include:
- Grabbing the steering wheel from the driver;
- Attempting to jump out of the car;
- Spilling something on the driver;
- Suddenly shouting or yelling;
- Frightening the driver; or
- Assaulting the driver or another passenger in the vehicle.
In a case where a passenger has committed an egregious action, a court may find them partially or completely liable for the accident. Those injured in the accident can seek financial compensation from the passenger who caused the wreck.
Our Tucson Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
Obtaining compensation following a car accident requires dealing with insurance companies or, possibly, seeking compensation through a lawsuit. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident where another was at fault, you may need assistance recovering the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
At Zinda Law Group, our car accident attorneys have helped thousands of crash injury victims seek damages for medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any upfront costs and if we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us a dime.
Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a Tucson car accident lawyer. Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
