Passenger Claims

Seasoned Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers Assisting Injured Motor Vehicle Passengers

If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation under Arizona law.  Passenger-based claims are common; however, they are frequently misunderstood. There are some interesting issues that are worth considering as you explore the possibility of litigation and our knowledgeable Phoenix car accident lawyers are here to help you understand your rights.

Let’s take a closer look.

Multiple Potential Defendants

Injured passengers may have actionable passenger claims against various third-parties (i.e., other drivers, the City, the car manufacturer, etc.), as well as their own driver.  If the driver acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally, and thereby caused the passenger’s injuries, then Arizona law will entitle them to bring an action and recover damages from their own driver.

For example, suppose that you are injured in a car accident where your driver was texting while driving. The distraction caused them to collide in a rear-end accident with another vehicle, leading to significant injuries to all passengers, including you.  The driver’s negligence is rather clear. You could presumably sue and obtain compensation from your own driver for their distracted driving.

This may be emotionally problematic for many passenger plaintiffs, particularly if the driver is a friend or family member.  In truth, however, the damages will likely be paid out by the defendant’s insurer. As such, it will not necessarily cause the defendant to sustain financial harm. A meeting with our Phoenix car accident lawyers will help you understand your rights and help you decide what you feel most comfortable pursing.

Suing on Behalf of an Injured Child in an Arizona Auto Accident

If your child has been injured in a car accident due to the fault of another, Arizona law entitles you to sue and recover damages on their behalf.  You may obtain the following in compensation:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages (if they work)
• Mental anguish

Further, any expenses that you — the parent — incur as a result of having to care for your child, such as lost wages due to having to take time off to serve as a more attentive caregiver in the wake of the accident, are recoverable.  This sort of accident scenario can lead to significant damage totals (especially when calculated over the long-term), as it may be necessary to hire a professional caregiver if the accident led to a severe injury and you do not have the time availability to take on the full-time caregiver role.

Contact Our Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Assistance

Here at Hirsch & Lyon, our experienced Phoenix car accident lawyers have represented numerous injured passenger claims plaintiffs over the years — including those who were merely passengers in a car accident.

We are focused exclusively on the litigation of personal injury disputes.  As such, we have gained unique insights into every aspect of motor vehicle accident litigation, and have developed an informed, detail-oriented strategic approach that enables us to position ourselves advantageously against opposing counsel.  The effectiveness of this approach is made evident by our successes in both trial litigation and pre-litigation negotiations.

Ready to speak to a compassionate and hard-working Phoenix car accident lawyer from our firm?  Call us at 602-535-1900 or fill out an online intake form to schedule a free and confidential consultation today.