A passenger in a car accident that suffers serious injury in St. Clair County is entitled to be compensated for their injuries as well as any property or wage loss caused by the negligent actions of others. Those actions include the negligent actions of the driver of the car in which they were riding.
If the driver and/or owner of the vehicle hold an insurance policy, it may prove to be the ultimate source for the recovery of monetary damages resulting from a car accident under these circumstances.
On December 6, 2010, a Lebanon man was seriously injured while riding as a passenger in a car driven by a female acquaintance. His medical bills exceeded $50,000. He is suing for medical costs as well as reimbursement of wages, along with claims for pain and suffering. The lawsuit was filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court last month. It alleges that the driver struck a parked car on North Vine. The papers assert the woman failed to exercise due care, was driving too fast and failed to exercise control over the vehicle.
Though not present at the time of the accident, the owner of the car was sued as well. It does not appear that any claim was made against the owner or operator of the parked car.
The lawsuit will now proceed to discovery. The primary focus will probably be directed towards the negligent acts of the driver and documentation of the injuries suffered by the victim. An Illinois attorney experience with helping car accident victims protect their rights and gain some measure of recompense may provide some support and assistance for others that find themselves in a similar situation.
Source: Madison Record, “Lebanon man sues over parked car injuries,” Kelly Holleran, Aug. 30, 2011