It’s easy to assume that the plaintiff in a car accident lawsuit is the person driving the car. After all, if you’re hurt in a crash, you’ll have to pursue the other driver. You wouldn’t pursue a passenger in the other vehicle. This doesn’t mean that you can’t file suit if you are a passenger. In fact, Athens car accident lawyers handle cases for passengers all the time. Anyone who is injured in a car accident, even a pedestrian, can pursue damages.
Most people don’t drive all by themselves. Of course, if they’re on their way to work or school that may be the case. For the most part, however, when we hit the road, we usually have friends or family in the car with us. If that person gets hurt, they have every right to pursue the other driver for damages. And, if you are the passenger in a car, you can file suit against either driver. It all depends on who was at fault.
The best thing to do is call and schedule a free consultation with a skilled car accident lawyer in Athens, Georgia. They can review your case and let you know what you should do. They can prepare you for the legal process and let you know what to expect. The consultation is free, and you don\’t have to pay a dime until your case is resolved.
Your Athens Car Accident Attorney Will Pursue Whoever Was at Fault in the Crash
If the other driver was at fault, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Your Athens car accident lawyer will handle it the same way they would any other accident. They’ll help you file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company. If they refuse to pay, they’ll try to negotiate a settlement of your claim. If this doesn’t work, they’ll have no choice but to recommend that you file suit.
When you file suit, you will name both the insurance company and the driver personally. This way, if the insurance company refuses to pay or if their policy limits don’t cover your damages, you can go after the defendant’s assets. Ideally, this won’t happen. Even if you win in court, you could end up waiting years to get your judgment paid. There’s also the chance that you will never see a dime. If the defendant has no assets, you’ll get nothing. That’s why it’s better to settle out of court. The good news is that more than 95% of lawsuits do settle long before trial.
Will You Have to Sue Your Friend of Family Member?
Nobody wants to think about filing a lawsuit against their friend or relative. However, if they were at fault in the car accident, you won’t have much choice. You can’t afford to handle the out-of-pocket expenses on your own. Your medical care will cost thousands of dollars. Once your health insurance company learns that your injuries were caused by an accident, they’ll demand that you file suit. They\’ll even file a lien against your suit until it settles.
The important thing to remember is that you’re not really pursuing your friend directly. They will be named in the lawsuit. However, more than likely, their insurance company is going to resolve the claim.
Talk to a Skilled Athens Car Accident Lawyer Sooner Rather than Later
After your Georgia car accident, you’re probably going to be scared and angry. You may be a little bit frustrated as well. If you were the passenger in a car that gets into an accident, you will be a bit confused too. You don’t know what you’re supposed to do. If the person driving the car you were in was at fault, you won’t have much choice. You’ll have to file a claim against their insurance company. If, on the other hand, the person driving the other car caused the crash, you’ll have to pursue their carrier.
The good news is that most of these cases do settle. The odds of having to go to trial are slim. Nobody wants to take legal action against a friend or family member. And nobody wants to go to trial, even if the other party is a stranger. Call today and schedule your free, initial consultation with a skilled Athens car accident lawyer. They can review your case and let you know how best to proceed. The consultation won’t cost you a dime and you have nothing to lose.