A Buckhead accident lawyer sometimes has a dilemma. For some reason, people who were passengers in a car accident don’t realize that they have every right to sue. It’s no different than being the driver in a car accident where the other person was at fault. True, you may have to name the person driving the car that you were in as a defendant. However, since almost all car accident cases settle, this may not make a difference. Usually, aside from being notified by their insurance carrier that a claim has been filed, your friend or family member won’t realize anything’s going on. Of course, your Buckhead accident lawyer will advise you to let them know that you are pursuing damages. The last thing you want to have happen is your friend or family member feeling blindsided because you didn’t tell them.
Here, we will discuss what your rights are if you’re a passenger in a car accident. We will explain how your Buckhead accident lawyer will prove that the other driver who were the driver of the vehicle you were in were at fault. We also explain what happens if you need to name more than one party in your lawsuit. Ideally, the insurance carriers will pay your claim and you won’t need to hire a Buckhead accident lawyer. However, it’s nice to know that they’re there if you need them.
We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. We suggest you take full advantage of this. Just call our office or go on our website and schedule your initial appointment.
Anybody Injured in a Car Crash Can Sue for Damages
It doesn’t matter who you are, if you were injured in a car accident you have legal rights. This is true whether you were the driver, passenger, or pedestrian. Just because you weren’t the one behind the wheel, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a right to compensation. What you need to do is talk to a car accident lawyer in Buckhead and find out what your rights are.
It will all come down to who was at fault. If the person driving the car you were in caused the accident, then their insurance carrier needs to pay your damages. If the other driver was at fault, then both you and your friend or family member may be suing the same person. Since there is a good chance that the insurance company will settle the claim with your car accident lawyer in Buckhead, you should not worry too much at the start about whether you’re offending anybody. Unless somebody’s offering to pay all your medical bills and your pain and suffering, you have no choice but to pursue a legal claim.
Your Buckhead Accident Lawyer May Have to Sue More Than One Party
In a situation like this, there is a good chance that your Buckhead accident lawyer will have to sue more than one party. If the other driver is the one who caused the crash, then you will sue the driver and their insurance carrier. If both drivers were at fault, then the situation gets a little more complicated. Your Buckhead accident lawyer will have to name both drivers and both insurance companies in your complaint. The good news is that there’s a strong possibility that the insurance companies will be willing to settle the case with your attorney.
The way we see it, it shouldn’t matter to you where the money comes from. As long as you’re compensated fairly for your injuries, that’s all that matters. We do understand that you would not sue your friend or family member unless you had to. What you need to understand is that you may not have a choice. If your injuries are serious and your primary health insurance is the one who paid for your care, you will have to pursue a legal claim. Your insurance company is going to expect to be refunded for any care they’ve already paid for. If you don’t sue, they have the right to sue on their own behalf to ensure that they are reimbursed.
It’s Not Personal – It’s Your Car Accident Lawyer in Buckhead Protecting Your Legal Rights
As we discussed here, one of the trickiest things about being a passenger in a car accident is figuring out how to sue the person who was driving. Nobody wants to sue a friend or a family member after a car accident. In fact, some of our clients tell our Buckhead accident lawyers that they would rather walk away with nothing than ruin a good relationship.
What you have to understand is that you’re not personally suing your friend or family member. You’re filing a claim with their insurance company. If their insurance carrier chooses not to pay your claim, then yes you will have to file suit. However, the odds of your friend or family member having to actually pay anything when all is said and done are slim. More than 95% of all car accident cases settle at some point before trial. This is what your car accident lawyer in Buckhead is trying to do. Unless your friend or family member doesn’t have insurance, the odds of them being held personally responsible for your injuries are low.
What we recommend is that you contact our office as soon as possible after your car accident. Schedule your free, initial consultation with one of our seasoned car accident lawyers in Buckhead. They will review your case and give you an idea of how much it’s worth. If they don’t feel that your claim has merit, they will tell you. Our associates would much rather be upfront honest with a client than get their hopes up unfairly. Since your initial consultation doesn’t cost you anything, you have nothing to lose. The other driver and their insurance carrier will have a team of lawyers working for them. It’s important that you have somebody on your side too.