For example, if the driver had a $20,000 liability policy and the passenger had UIM of $100,000, then the passenger could collect up to an additional $80,000 in compensation. Should the driver’s insurance coverage be minimal and the passenger has underinsured coverage (UIM) that exceeds the driver’s auto liability limits, then the passenger could collect additional compensation. ![]() If the driver was at fault, then your car accident attorney will file a claim against the driver’s insurer and not the driver personally. But if you suffered injuries through no fault of your own, then you are entitled to be compensated for your injuries and other damages. Passengers are usually friends of the driver. Insurers are more likely to offer UM if there was a collision between the vehicles and the other car fled the scene. If so, and the other vehicle could not be identified, then the driver’s uninsured motorist coverage (UM) could apply. It is possible that another vehicle caused the injured passenger’s driver to take evasive action that resulted in the crash. Since the passenger was not the cause, then the driver’s insurer must accept liability. It is more likely that the driver in this case either fell asleep, impaired, was focusing on his smartphone, or negligently took evasive action at a high speed that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, and for him to be ejected from the vehicle. In the fatal accident on Mass Pike, only the passenger can testify as to what occurred although an examination of the vehicle could uncover mechanical issues that caused the driver to lose control. Getting Compensation in Single Car AccidentsĪ passenger who is injured in a single car accident can seek compensation from the driver so long as liability is established in that the driver was negligent in causing the accident. You could suddenly lose power, steering or braking while traveling at 70 miles per hour on any roadway.įinally, never drink and drive or take drugs, legal or illegal, that can compromise your perceptions or judgement. In other kinds of weather that may not be as extreme, slow down in any event since you can easily hit an ice patch, black ice, or suddenly encounter a vehicle out of control.Įngine and tire pressure lights, if on, should never be ignored or service delayed. In severe weather where visibility is extremely limited or other vehicles are traveling very slowly, it is safer to pull over to a safe location and to wait out the storm than risk an accident. If driving early in the morning or late at night, you should be cognizant of fatigue and to either allow a passenger to drive or else stop somewhere to rest or turn in for the night. Faulty steering, brake or other mechanical issuesĪny car accident can be avoided, or the risk minimized by taking certain precautions depending on the circumstances involved.Taking a curve too fast or a sharp turn.Weather such as hail, severe rainstorms, ice, and snow.Massachusetts was just over the national average that year with 56% of its fatal accidents not involving any other vehicle. In 2020, 55% of all fatal accidents in the U.S. Single vehicle accidents are much more common than you might think. ![]() Remember Princess Diana? The three people who died in that high speed crash were not wearing seatbelts – and the person that survived was wearing a seatbelt. You also have a more than a 75% chance of sustaining fatal injuries when ejected. When you fail to wear a seat belt, you are 30 times more likely to be ejected from your car. Without too much speculation about the cause of the accident, it is apparent that the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and was likely not wearing a seat belt. There were no other reports on what caused the driver to lose control. ![]() and reported that the driver had been ejected from the vehicle. State police arrived at the scene around 6:00 a.m. ![]() In early June of this year, a single vehicle accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Warren resulted in the death of the driver with injuries to the passenger.
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