You might be riding with a friend, relative or coworker when you get into an accident with another car. Even though you had no control over either vehicle, you may still end up with injuries, medical bills and time away from work.
As a passenger, your next options often depend on who caused the wreck. If another driver was at fault, you might have a claim against that person. If the person giving you a ride caused the crash, Alabama’s guest-passenger law could affect what you have to prove.
If another driver caused the crash
The other driver may be responsible if negligence caused the collision. Negligence simply means that the driver failed to use reasonable care on the road. If that driver caused your injuries, bodily injury liability coverage could help cover losses such as medical costs or missed pay.
Photos or witness accounts might also help explain how the crash happened. Your medical records can show the injuries you suffered and the care you received afterward.
If the driver carrying you caused the crash
If the person giving you a ride caused the crash, Alabama law may limit when you can recover from that driver. The state’s guest-passenger law may apply when you ride as a guest without payment.
If the law treats you as a guest, ordinary negligence alone will not support a claim against that driver. You would have to show willful or wanton misconduct, which involves conduct more serious than a routine driving mistake. Whether the guest rule applies might depend on why you took the ride and whether the driver received a meaningful benefit from taking you.
Keep records that show your losses
You might want to save each driver’s name and insurance information. Medical records and proof of missed work could also help document the harm tied to a vehicle injury claim. If the drivers disagree about fault, those records might help show who could bear responsibility and what losses you may claim.