Attorney for Car Accident Claims Against Friends and Family
Family Members Injured in Car Accidents
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When an auto accident occurs with a friend or family member who is responsible for the crash, The Pascoe Law Firm can assist you with obtaining the compensation you are entitled to receive while protecting the interests of those you care about. Contact our auto accident attorney today to learn more about your rights under Texas law. It is often necessary for a victim of a Texas car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim against family members who are responsible for a crash involving injuries or fatalities. In most cases, the driver responsible for the accident and the victim suffering injuries usually never met before the crash. However, there are many incidences where family members injured in a car accident must file an injury suit against a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, or other close relatives, to receive financial compensation for their injuries.
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How To Obtain Insurance Coverage For An Injury Caused By A Relative?
In most incidences, an insurance policy will cover members of an immediate family but might not cover members of an extended family if the covered person was not in the vehicle at the time of the accident. When this occurs, the insurance company will view certain family members as a stranger if they do not live in the same household. This might mean that an aunt, uncle, or cousin suffering an injury in a vehicle accident where a family member is responsible would need to file a lawsuit or file a claim against their relative's policy to receive financial compensation for their pain, suffering, injuries, and damages. Usually, the insurance policy will list all of the available drivers who are covered under the policy, which may limit specific family members from suing for damages beyond extended medical and no-fault coverage. Unless it is specifically stated in the insurance policy, the coverage will not always automatically include benefits to any individual who does not live in the same household.
Understand your Legal Rights Following a Car Accident Involving Friends or Family
Our attorney understands the importance of preserving personal relationships while pursuing maximum compensation after a crash involving family or friends. Many times, insurance policies that provide vehicle coverage for immediate family members may not cover extended family. Following a vehicle collision, family members who have been injured in a vehicle but are not covered by insurance may file a claim against their friend or relative’s policy. This ensures that they will receive the financial compensation that they deserve for their physical pain, as well as their emotional suffering.
Should I Bring An Auto Accident Claim Against A Family Member?
When injured family members or friends brings a legal claim against a responsible party, this should not be taken personally. The legal system provides a method to recover monetary damages from the party responsible for causing an accident. In many cases, the legal claim follows the theory of negligence, which means that the at-fault party was careless in causing the crash. Essentially, the party bringing the claim must show that their family member or friend failed to act as a reasonable person would act under the circumstances. This may be shown in a number of ways, including evidence that shows they were speeding or failed to yield.
How Do you Prove Fault Against A Family Member For A Car Accident?
Essential to proving fault for causing a car accident is showing causation. This is important because another, intervening cause cannot be responsible for a crash. For example, if aggressive driving caused an accident, the victim and their attorney would need to show that the defendant driver’s aggressive conduct directly led to the crash. In other words, if the defendant had not been driving aggressively, the crash would not have taken place.
- Injured family members or friends seeking damages - must carefully document their costs related to the crash. After demonstrating the fault of another family member or friend for causing the accident, some of the larger expenses that may be recovered include hospital bills, physical therapy, and medication costs. In some situations, relying on expert medical opinions can help victims obtain complete medical coverage.
- Emotional harm after an accident is significant- following a crash caused by another family member or friend the emotional harm might be significant. The trauma that follows a crash may be demonstrated when victims no longer engage in activities to the same degree as they did before the accident. As a form of non-economic harm, emotional suffering and trauma may be recovered by the accident victim and their family.
What is Fair Compensation For Auto Accident Injuries?
In many incidences, filing a claim or lawsuit against a family member who was responsible for a passenger’s injuries in a car accident is the only way to receive adequate compensation. It is important to note that the money used to settle or resolve the case is paid by the insurance company and not the defendant of a lawsuit.
The amount of compensation received in an out-of-court settlement, or as an award at trial once the jury has reached a verdict, can vary greatly. Financial recompense is usually based on the ability to prove damages, injuries, pain, and suffering. Often this requires the skills of an experienced attorney who handles personal injury cases. A skilled lawyer can gather all the necessary information and evidence, speak to witnesses, and develop a strategy to make a strong claim by presenting their case to the insurance company for negotiation or to take the case to trial. The amount of compensation received is usually enough to pay off all ongoing expenses that are directly associated with the accident. These include:
- Ongoing Medical Expenses
- Other financial bills
- Earnings lost from missed work
- Future earning potential when it is not possible to return to the job
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
How To Hiring a Texas Attorney To Pursue An Auto Claim Against A Relative Or Friend?
The Pascoe Law Firm offer skilled legal counsel for family members injured in car accidents caused by the negligent actions of a relative. The lawyers provide negotiation skills to achieve the highest out-of-court settlement, and/or develop a strong strategy for presenting the lawsuit case at trial. Our law office has successfully resolved Texas car accident injury cases for injured family members when a relative is driving. We have a comprehensive understanding of Texas tort law and appreciate the delicate balance between preserving a familial relationship and maximizing a recovery from a car accident.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for you. Call our accident attorney at the Pascoe Law Firm today for a FREE consultation. You can reach us at 713-829-4317 for a free consultation and prompt investigation. If you are or a loved one has been injured and suffered personal injury, call the Pascoe Law firm to speak with accident lawyer. The Pascoe Law Firm provides a free personal injury consultation for car accident victims. Call or contact us online to speak with a Car Accident Lawyer. Hablamos Español.
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Webpage is intended solely for residents of Texas or Persons seeking representation within Texas. An Attorney-Client relationship only occurs when both parties agree that the Attorney will represent the Client and will not be created until that agreement occurs. Website and all of its pages is intended to be used for educational purposes and does not constituted as legal advice. All information on every page of the website does NOT suggest or claim that the attorney has a specialization in any area of legal practice or certification. Attorney not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specializations.
