Passenger Rights in South Dakota Car Accidents

Sioux Falls Car Accident Attorney

Have you been injured in an auto accident in South Dakota? As a passenger in a vehicle, you have the legal right to seek monetary compensation for your injuries. Whether the driver of your vehicle caused the accident or another driver was at fault, you can file a claim against their insurance company to recover money for any damages. After being involved in an accident, many passengers are not aware of their rights and their options. Ultimately, it is the driver's responsibility to keep their passengers safe and if they fail to fulfill that duty, then they could be held liable for any injuries as a result. You should not feel helpless, Sioux Falls personal injury lawyer Jim Even can help you obtain the compensation that you are legally entitled to.

Understanding Your Rights After a Car Accident

If you have been injured as a passenger in a traffic collision, then you could file a claim based on one of two types of liability, friend liability or stranger liability. Friend liability is when you are a passenger in your friend's car and they are the one at fault the accident. Clients typically feel guilty when it comes to these types of cases based on the idea of filing a claim against their friend for compensation. It is important to remember that you are not filing against your friend, but against their insurance company. In this case, their insurance is responsible for paying for your medical bills and loss of income so that you don't have to bear that burden. Don't worry about how the dispute will damage your friendship. Think about is this way, their insurance company is there to protect their claimant's assets and to reimburse anyone who they inadvertently injure.

One thing to remember with friend liability is that they will be looking to see if you, as the passenger, were partially at fault for the accident. If your friend was negligent in how they drove by driving recklessly, speeding or changing lanes without looking, then you have a legitimate case. If your friend was driving under the influence and you willingly got into the car with them, knowing the chances, then your recovery could be negatively impacted.

The second type of claim is stranger liability and that is where a third party motorist in another vehicle is found to be at fault for the accident. For example, if a drunk driver hit the vehicle that you were riding in, then you file a personal injury lawsuit against their insurance company.

Compensation for Injured Passengers in Sioux Falls and all of South Dakota

If you have sustained serious injuries while traveling in another person's vehicle, you will need financial assistance to cover your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, physical therapy or any other injury related expenses. Attorney Jim Even can help you recover the full compensation that you deserve. He can inform you of your rights and direct you as to the best course of action for your case. If you try to navigate the legal process on your own, the insurance companies will most likely take advantage of you. Don't get hit twice! When you hire a lawyer from The Even Law Firm, you can feel confident in know that Jim Even has over 30 years of experience practicing personal injury law. This is the only area of law that he handles and he is dedicated to protecting the rights of passengers and other personal injury victims. The Even Law Firm proudly serves car accident victims in parts of South Dakota and Minnesota.