Unlike
drivers and plaintiffs an injured passenger has an easier case as he/she will
not have the burden of proving liability since one of the drivers is beyond a doubt
liable. This burden usually rests with the plaintiff who will have to prove
that defendant is at fault and that he has suffered economic and non-economic
damages from the accident.
Years of
experience tells Charlotte, NC accident lawyers that passenger injuries claims
happen in two types of accidents. In the first type, two cars are involved and
therefore one of them is at fault for sure. In the second type, this is where
one car is involved then that driver is most often labeled the responsible one.
However, there are rare exceptions where no one is responsible for an
accident.
How to file passenger
injury claim?
North Carolina accident
attorneys know that a passenger injury claim can be filed just like any other
case. The only exception is that if two cars are involved then the claims are
filed with the insurers of both the drivers. The passenger will have to gather
insurance information from the drivers and file a claim. Exceptions happen when
only one driver is negligent. In such a case, the claim must be filed only with
the driver’s insurance provider.
In cases of accidents that happen in a no-fault
state, a no-fault PIP or Personal Injury Protection is filed taking into
account medical expenses and the loss of income of that car driver. The claim
can be settled only after the treatment is completed. If the incident involves
two vehicles a legal professional negotiates the amount with both the insurance
companies. Sometimes negotiations move smoothly but on some occasions reaching
a settlement can become difficult as both sets of lawyers arrive at a stalemate.
Problems in passenger
injury claims involving two cars
There are
cases where both drivers have been proved to be at fault. If the judge
determines that both were equally responsible for the accident then a passenger
claim for $100,000 will be divided between equally between the insurers of both
the drivers. Each will end up paying $50,000. In another case if one driver is
found 25% responsible and the other 75% then the amount paid by the insurers
will be $25,000 and $75,000, respectively.
However,
these claims can be complicated. Insurance companies of both drivers might
claim that their clients are only 25% responsible for an accident and hence the
injured will get at least 50% less than the amount he/she has claimed and could
possibly lead to prolonged negotiations between insurance companies and the
legal representatives involved.
This is
another challenging area when an accident injures multiple passengers. You see
this truck accidents or even train accidents that cause massive devastation and
even a scores of people dead.
But, in
regards to car accidents, the driver’s accident coverage might not be enough to
meet the claims of all the passengers, more so if the injuries are severe. They
are asked to share the insurance amount and in most cases agreements between
passengers become impossible and the matter is taken to court for a solution.
If you face such a situation it is judicious to notify and sign some paperwork
with a Charlotte accident lawyer to get your compensation from a negligent
driver.
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