The Legal Rights of Passengers in a Dallas, Texas Auto Accident

The Legal Rights of Passengers in a Dallas, Texas Auto Accident

As a Dallas personal injury lawyer, I know that no-one is immune from being seriously injured in a Dallas, Texas traffic wreck. Car accidents happen all the time in Dallas and the people injured frequently suffer horrific life-threatening injuries such as blunt force trauma, head and brain injuries, spinal paralysis, and even amputation. In the event that you or a loved one has been injured in a Dallas car wreck, it is important that you speak to a local personal injury or wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible following the crash, to ensure that you are fully briefed on your legal rights and obligations.

It is also worth remembering that it is not just the driver who has a right to make a claim, any passengers injured in a car crash are also entitled to compensation. If the driver of the car they were riding in was actually the motorist responsible for the wreck, then the passenger is entirely within their legal rights to make a claim against them. For this reason, it is not uncommon for injured passengers to make personal injury claims against their best friend or even husband or wife who had been driving at the time of the accident. Remember that making a personal injury claim for compensation does not mean you are suing anyone, what you are doing is making an insurance claim against that person's insurance provider.

Common instances where you might need to pursue a claim against the driver of the vehicle you were riding in might be if they were texting while driving, for example. If they were negligent, then you have a right to make a claim, just as you would if the car you were riding in was crashed into by a drunk driver. If you are hurt and have medical bills, then Texas law gives you the right to fair compensation for your injuries.

While it's understandable that people are often reluctant to make a legal claim against a friend or relative, it is usually the case that it is financially necessary that you do so. If you were transported to hospital from the crash scene by ambulance, if you were treated by ER doctors, if you had to undergo surgery, or if you had an extended hospital stay, then you are probably looking at some very expensive medical bills. As a Dallas accident and personal injury attorney, I deal with personal injury cases on a daily basis. I know that the cost of medical care has risen to absurdly expensive levels, so it is no wonder that unpaid medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in America. This is why we pay our insurance premiums month after month, so that if the worst happens, there is insurance available to pay for it so that we don't have to go into debt. If your friend or relative has insurance, then you should not hesitate to make a claim.

To discuss your unique situation with an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer today, please call the Dallas injury law firm of Guajardo & Marks, LLP toll free at 877-290-1382 or locally at 972-774-9800.