Hasner Law | Car Accidents | July 26, 2018
Often, after a car crash, we look for errors made by drivers of other vehicles. However, sometimes, the driver of the car in which you’re riding may be the one at fault. In fact, there may not be any other vehicles involved. Single-car crashes often occur because a driver acted negligently or recklessly, and any passengers in that vehicle may suffer severe or fatal injuries.
A recent single-car crash in Savannah has police investigating the actions of the driver. Reports indicate that a 38-year-old man was driving a Nissan Altima with a 38-year-old woman as a passenger. The car crashed into a tree and caught on fire, and neither occupant survived. Police initially planned to do an autopsy and toxicology test on the driver to see if he was intoxicated. Since the crash, however, police have indicated they believe the situation was more serious than a lapse in judgment to drive drunk. News reports claim the situation escalated from a domestic dispute to a domestic kidnapping—one that turned deadly for the passenger of the car.
While not all car accident cases involve kidnappings, of course, the situation can always be complicated when a driver crashes and causes injuries to a passenger. If the driver is a spouse, parent, or child, you likely will not want to take legal action. However, there are some parties against which you may want to see compensation if their dangerous driving resulted in a crash.
If the driver of a car causes you injuries, you can file an insurance claim for damages with that driver’s insurance company. The insurer will almost certainly try to get you to accept an offer that is much too low, and you should always have a skilled car accident lawyer handle the claim and review any offers for you. If needed, you can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver directly.
If a crash resulted in the death of a passenger, the surviving family members may have the right to file a claim for wrongful death against the dangerous driver under Georgia law. In the above case, if there is evidence the driver was drunk, negligent, or crashed the car recklessly or intentionally, the family of the passenger may want to pursue a wrongful death claim against the estate of the driver. A wrongful death claim can seek damages for lost care and companionship, lost financial support, and more.
Contact Our Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Hasner Law PC
If a driver crashed a car and you suffered injuries as a passenger, you should not hesitate to contact a skilled car accident lawyer. Knowing your rights and deciding whether to take legal action in this type of situation can be difficult, and you should review all of your options with an attorney before deciding what is in your best interests. At Hasner Law PC, our attorneys represent clients in complex cases in and around the Savannah area.
For more information, please contact the Atlanta car accident law firm of Hasner Law P.C. at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Fulton County, Chatham County, and its surrounding areas:
Hasner Law PC – Atlanta Law Office
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
(678) 888-4878
Hasner Law PC – Savannah Law Office
221 W York St
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 234-2334
