Arizona Passenger Injury Attorneys
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Passenger Injuries
Under tort law, the driver responsible for a crash can be held liable for the damages. This can become complicated, especially when the injured victim is a passenger and the driver is a family member or close friend. All passengers injured in a car accident would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Phoenix personal injury attorney to discuss their legal options.
Arizona Passenger Injury Statistics
According to the Arizona's Department of Transportation's 2009 Crash Facts:
- 14,221 vehicle passengers were injured in Arizona car accidents.
- 7,071 passengers were injured in passenger cars and 2,229 passengers were injured in pickup trucks
- The majority of passengers injured were between ages of 15 and19 -- 2,294 injured victims were 15 to 19 years old.
- 216 passengers were killed in Arizona car accidents.
A Passenger's Rights
Whenever a passenger is injured, he or she may pursue financial compensation for the injuries suffered. Under tort law, it will become necessary to determine which driver was at fault for the crash. If the Arizona negligent motorist was operating the other vehicle, the injured passenger will have to file a claim with that driver's insurance company. If the at-fault driver was the motorist operating the vehicle the passenger was in, that driver may be held liable for the damages. Even if the at-fault driver is a family member or friend, the injured victim may pursue compensation for their losses. It is important to remember that the at-fault driver's insurance will pay the bulk of the damages. So the victim should not worry about hurting a friend or family member financially by filing a claim.
Common Injuries
Depending upon the type of accident, passengers often suffer serious injuries or fatalities. Vehicles that have airbags for the driver do not always have passenger airbags. Passengers may be ejected from the vehicle, slammed into the dashboard or crushed in a T-bone collision. Victims may sustain serious head injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones and internal injuries. Depending upon the severity of the injuries, the victims may require extensive hospital stays, surgeries and time away from work.
The Value of a Personal Injury Claim
In cases involving serious passenger injuries, the victim may have to file a personal injury claim to receive compensation for his or her losses. Common losses covered by an Arizona personal injury claim include:
- Emergency room bills
- Past, current and future medical bills related to the accident.
- Physical therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
When a passenger is killed, the victim's family may pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing an Arizona wrongful death claim. Compensation for wrongful death claims may cover funeral bills, lost future income and other related damages.
The car accident injury attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices, P.C. help injured passengers receive fair compensation for their losses. We offer free consultations to anyone injured in an Arizona car crash. If a negligent driver has injured you or a loved one, call our office today to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
