Can a Passenger Ever Be Liable for a Car Accident?

Most of us are happy to give friends and family a lift every now and then. Most of the time, these car trips are uneventful. Sometimes, however, a passenger can become rowdy enough to threaten the car trip’s safety. If a passenger’s rowdiness contributed to a car accident, could they be held liable for damages? Find out below.

Determining Liability in a Car Accident

Passengers can threaten a car trip’s safety in a number of ways, including the following:

• Playing music too loud
• Not wearing seatbelts
• Fighting with each other

Sometimes, these actions can distract a driver enough to contribute to a car accident. In this situation, it might seem fair that the rowdy passenger share at least some of the responsibility for damages resulting from the crash. However, this is rarely the case.

This is because the safety of a car trip is, ultimately, the driver’s responsibility. The driver must ensure the environment inside the vehicle is a safe one by asking rowdy passengers to quiet down or cease any distracting activity.

However, there are a few unique situations where a passenger may be held at least partially liable for a car accident. Such situations involve the passenger performing a direct, uncontrollable action, like grabbing the steering wheel and causing a crash.

These situations are complex and require the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, our Mobile personal injury attorneys are here to help. We have a strong track record of success in auto accident claims, and we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Call Cunningham Bounds at (844) 417-0930 to schedule a free consultation.