If I was a passenger in a vehicle in an accident with a family member can I sue?

Ontario Lawyer — If you were seriously injured as a passenger in a car accident in Ottawa, you should consult a personal injury lawyer.  Even if the driver of the vehicle was responsible for the accident, you could still have a legitimate claim.  Also, if the personal driving was related to you, you could still be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.  Don’t automatically assume that because you were a) a passenger, b) in the vehicle responsible for the accident, and c) related to the driver who caused the accident, that you do not have a legitimate legal claim.  By seeking legal advice from a personal injury lawyer, you will be able to determine if you have a case.

People can be easily confused about who can receive compensation in situations such as this.  Not all, in fact not many, circumstances of personal injury are clear and straightforward.  If you are not sure if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, it is best to consult a personal injury lawyer and discuss your situation with them.  If you were in a passenger in a car accident and suffered serious injury, it is important that you remember that you may have a legal case.  Too often people become injured in a car accident and assume that they need to deal with the situation on their own.  Don’t forget that personal injury lawyers are here to help people like you receive a fair settlement for the injuries you incurred.

The relationship between yourself and the driver responsible for the accident, even if they were your parent, husband or wife, does not automatically exclude you from receiving compensation.  A personal injury lawyer can go through the specifics of your case with you and can provide you with appropriate legal advice.  Remember that if the circumstances of your injury cause you to be unsure about whether or not you have a legitimate claim seek the help of an experienced Ottawa personal injury lawyer.

About the Author: Brenda Hollingsworth

Brenda Hollingsworth co-founded Ottawa’s Auger Hollingsworth in 2005 with her husband Richard Auger. Together, their mission was to create a personal injury law firm for Eastern Ontario that is unrivalled in the province for customer service and legal expertise. Brenda was named an Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 award recipient and took home the Women’s Business Network’s Businesswoman of the Year award in the Professional category. She was also recognized as one of Ottawa Life Magazine’s “Top 50 People in the Capital.” She is often quoted as an expert and has appeared in media outlets such as CTV, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Ottawa Citizen, Sun Media, CBC, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, CFRA and many legal publications.

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