Passenger negligence is not a common reason for car accidents in Phoenix, Arizona, but these crashes can and do happen. If a passenger contributed to the cause of your car accident, they could be required to compensate you for your injuries. However, passenger negligence claims are complicated, so you need to hire an attorney with substantial experience.
Our Phoenix accident attorneys at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers have over 55 years of combined experience. We have recovered tens of millions in damages for over 3,000 clients, securing our membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our attorneys have a 98% success rate as we seek fair compensation for the pain and suffering, financial losses, and other damages our client sustained.
We’ll analyze your case and provide trusted legal advice about how we can help you protect your rights. Call our law firm at (602) 595-5559 or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced Phoenix car accident attorney.
How Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With a Passenger Negligence Claim in Phoenix
Arizona applies a fault-based system to car accidents. Parties who contribute to the cause of the car crash can be held liable for damages sustained by the victims. However, when passenger negligence is involved in a car accident claim, it creates unique issues.
Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys understand how to deal with issues related to passenger negligence. We are also aware that the passenger might be someone close to you. Therefore, we handle your claim with professionalism. We provide objective guidance to help you take the steps to protect your and your family’s best interests.
When you hire our top-rated car accident lawyers in Phoenix, we will take all necessary steps to pursue compensation for damages, including:
- Investigate the car accident to identify all parties who contributed to the cause of the crash
- Gather evidence proving your claim, including working with leading experts when necessary
- Carefully and thoroughly document all damages to maximize the value of your claim
- File insurance claims and negotiate fair settlements
- File a lawsuit and aggressively pursue your case in court if necessary
If you’ve been injured in a passenger negligence accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries. You also deserve not to be ignored by the insurance companies and the parties responsible for your pain and suffering.
Call Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced passenger negligence accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay attorney’s fees unless and until we recover money for your claim.
Examples of Passenger Negligence That Can Lead to a Car Accident in Phoenix, AZ
Negligence is conduct that falls short of the reasonable person standard. A jury compares the passenger’s conduct to what a reasonable person would do in the same circumstances.
If the passenger’s conduct fell short of the standard of care for that situation, the passenger can be liable for damages caused by their failure to use reasonable care.
Examples of passenger negligence include:
- Distracts the driver
- Strikes or hits the driver
- Covers the driver’s eyes or obstructs their view
- Grabs the steering wheel
- Tries to slam on the brakes or gas
- Throws objects in the car
- Starts a physical altercation inside the car
- Encourages the driver to operate a vehicle while intoxicated
- Engages in reckless behavior in the vehicle
The above actions do not necessarily cause a car accident. You must prove that the passenger’s conduct directly and proximately caused or contributed to the cause of the car accident. After proving the passenger’s negligence is the reason for the car crash, you can demand compensation for your injuries and damages.
What Damages Are Available for a Passenger Negligence Claim in Phoenix, AZ?
The damages for a passenger negligence accident claim are the same as other car accident cases. Depending on the facts of your case, you could receive compensation for your economic damages including:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
You can also seek compensation for non-economic damages. These damages represent the pain and suffering you experience because of the crash, including:
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Physical pain
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished quality of life
The factors involved in your case determine the value of your damages. For example, catastrophic injuries can increase the value of damages. On the other hand, being partially to blame for causing the crash could reduce your compensation under contributory fault laws.
How Long Do I Have To File a Passenger Negligence Claim in Phoenix, AZ?
Passenger negligence accident claims have the same deadlines as car accident claims. The statute of limitations for most car accident cases is two years from the accident date. A few exceptions exist that could shorten or lengthen the time to file a claim.
Because you could lose the right to pursue a court case if you miss the deadline, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible after a car accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers
Were you injured in a car accident in Phoenix, AZ? Our Phoenix passenger negligence attorneys at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers help you seek fair compensation for your injuries. Call today for your free case review to learn more about filing a car accident claim in Arizona.