A variety of factors can cause a car accident. They range from weather conditions and traffic to tire blowouts and confusing GPS directions. However, usually the vehicle occupants play a major role in the actions that lead to an accident and its severity. This includes passengers in the vehicle.
Depending on the circumstances and the actions, a passenger can be liable for car accidents and any personal liability that results. Although there is no direct passenger negligence claim established in insurance law, there are ways to assign some blame to that person or persons. That can mean a variety of things, from limiting or preventing any attempt to collect damages from the accident, to being held liable by other parties, such as anyone injured outside the car or the driver.
To avoid passenger liability, the best advice is probably to use common sense. Most of the causal actions can be prevented if practicing safe, normal behavior. Here are some of the most common behaviors that lead to passenger liability:
Despite how safe today’s cars are, they rely mostly on effective operation by the driver. Passengers need to let drivers focus on the road and avoid distractions. Increasingly, that means watching cell phone usage. Lawyers have seen app activity causing accidents, even fatal ones. To mitigate these, passengers should not distract drivers with social media or other cell phone activity. If distracting actions continue, drivers should pull over, wait for passengers to settle down, and if necessary, tell them to leave the vehicle.
Although not as comprehensive as drivers, passengers carry a duty of care while in a car. Duty of care covers the reasonable measures expected of all stakeholders to prevent accidents and keep everyone safe. Drivers obviously have more to do on their end. However, passengers are expected to avoid engaging in activity that will distract drivers and possibly lose control of the vehicle. Any actions that would attempt to affect the driver’s control, such as trying to hit the brakes or grab the steering wheel, would violate that duty of care.
That duty of care comes into play when determining negligence for an accident. A passenger can be assigned negligence if:
When that negligence is assigned, it can affect the passenger’s attempt to claim damages for the accident.
A variety of factors can cause car accidents. If there is passenger negligence involved, an experienced law firm can make the difference in resolving things effectively. The Washington DC car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King bring the legal knowledge to navigate a claim and produce the best possible results. Call us at 202-331-1963 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Washington, DC, we work with car accident victims in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, and Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
In the wake of a car accident, individuals often face considerable physical and emotional challenges.…
Evidence plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome of insurance claims and legal proceedings…
These days, more distractions are competing for drivers’ attention than ever before. From smartphones buzzing…
Eye injuries are a common consequence of car accidents, often resulting from the collision's impact…
Motorists drive so often at night that they might not think about the added risks…
Driving a motor vehicle is a daily activity for many that comes with inherent risks,…