Imagine a passenger in a motor vehicle suddenly grabbing the steering wheel during an argument, sending the car veering into oncoming traffic. Or consider what might happen when an intoxicated friend repeatedly distracts the driver, causing them to miss a red light and collide with a family’s minivan. Such scenarios happen more often than most people realize, leaving victims with serious injuries and massive medical bills.
When a passenger’s actions contribute to a car crash, you might be entitled to hold them legally liable for your injury-related losses. Working with an experienced passenger negligence lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri, can help you take the right steps toward pursuing the maximum compensation you deserve.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, our St. Louis car accident attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to help victims of passenger-related crashes. Our team has secured several multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, and we are ready to put our knowledge and skills to work for you.
Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer After a Crash Caused by Passenger Negligence
Crashes involving passenger negligence can often create complex legal situations that require thorough investigation and skilled representation. Insurance companies frequently try to minimize or deny claims by shifting blame between drivers and passengers, making it crucial to have a strong legal advocate on your side.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we understand the challenges these cases present. Our trial attorneys have built a reputation for taking on powerful insurance companies and winning substantial compensation for our injured clients. We know how to gather evidence, work with accident reconstruction experts, and build compelling cases that demonstrate passenger liability.
Our team has successfully represented clients in numerous passenger negligence cases, securing significant settlements that help victims rebuild their lives. Our passenger liability lawyers take pride in providing personalized attention to each client while fighting aggressively for their rights.
Common Ways Passengers Contribute to Car Accidents
While most accidents result from driver negligence, crashes resulting from passenger activity also occur. As many as 4 percent of traffic accidents are at least partially due to passenger negligence, according to an article in the Journal of Safety Research.
Passengers can create dangerous situations in various ways that lead to serious crashes. These include:
- Distracting the driver – Engaging in loud conversations, showing videos on phones, or demanding attention while the vehicle is in motion
- Interfering with vehicle controls – Grabbing the steering wheel, shifting gears, or attempting to control other vehicle functions
- Encouraging dangerous driving – Pressuring the driver to speed, run red lights or stop signs, or engage in other risky behaviors
- Physical interference – Blocking the driver’s view, throwing objects in the vehicle, or engaging in horseplay
- Intoxicated behavior – Acting erratically or aggressively due to alcohol or drug use while riding in the vehicle
Who’s Liable When a Passenger Causes a Car Crash?
Multiple parties might bear responsibility when a passenger’s actions contribute to an accident. Our experienced attorneys will examine every potential source of compensation, including:
- The negligent passenger, when their direct actions caused or contributed to the crash
- The vehicle’s driver, if they failed to maintain control of the car or adequately address passenger misconduct
- A bar, restaurant, or liquor store, if they knowingly sold alcoholic beverages to someone who was visibly drunk or underage
When determining liability in a passenger negligence case, multiple insurance policies may provide coverage for your losses. The driver’s auto insurance typically serves as the primary source of compensation, even when a passenger’s actions caused the crash. However, if the passenger has liability coverage through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, these policies might also cover their negligent actions that led to the crash, depending on their policy.
Your own insurance policy may also come into play. Missouri requires all motorists to carry uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage to pay for losses if other available avenues of compensation prove insufficient.
In cases involving multiple vehicles, the insurance policies of other involved drivers might provide additional coverage, depending on their role in the crash.
Our attorneys thoroughly investigate all options to optimize your path to maximum compensation. We understand the complex interplay between different insurance policies and know how to identify all possible sources of recovery.
Legal Rights for Victims of Passenger Negligence in St. Louis
Missouri law protects victims of accidents caused by passenger negligence. You have the right to seek compensation from all responsible parties, including passengers whose actions contributed to the crash. Our attorneys can help protect your rights by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident
- Gathering evidence of passenger negligence
- Working with expert witnesses to strengthen your case
- Handling all communications with insurance companies and other parties
- Fighting for maximum compensation through negotiations or trial, if necessary
Proving Passenger Negligence in an Auto Accident Case
Building a successful case for a motor vehicle accident caused by passenger actions requires extensive evidence and legal knowledge. Our trial attorneys know how to demonstrate passenger negligence through:
- Witness statements – Collecting accounts from other passengers, drivers, and bystanders
- Video evidence – Securing footage from traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby security systems
- Police reports – Analyzing law enforcement’s official documentation of the incident
- Expert analysis – Working with accident reconstruction specialists to demonstrate how passenger actions contributed to the crash
- Medical records – Documenting injuries and their connection to the accident
Compensation for Victims of Passenger-Related Accidents
Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers fight to recover compensation for all losses resulting from the crash, including:
- Medical expenses and future medical bills
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Property repair or replacement
While the value of your personal injury claim will depend on the unique factors of the accident, our knowledgeable lawyers are prepared to analyze your unique situation to account for all of your losses related to the crash.
Get Help from Our Experienced St. Louis Trial Attorneys
While insurance companies might try to minimize your claim after a crash caused by passenger negligence, the skilled St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, are ready to fight for every dollar you deserve. We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we secure compensation for you.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced car accident attorney in a no-obligation consultation about your rights and options.
