Rollover accidents are among the deadliest in the United States.
1 Teen Dead, Multiple Injured in Single-Vehicle Rollover in Kerrville
According to a KSAT News report, one teen died, and multiple were injured in an early morning accident in Kerrville this week.
Police reported the incident occurred at around 1:40 a.m. on Holdsworth in Kerrville. A 19-year-old driver was traveling eastbound when his vehicle left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle rolled as a result and crashed into a tree. The driver was cut from the vehicle and airlifted to Brooke Army Medical Center. There were 4 passengers in the vehicle — two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old who were injured, and one 15-year-old girl who was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger’s injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. An investigation is ongoing to determine if alcohol, speed, or distracted driving contributed to the accident.
Did You Know?
35% of all passenger-vehicle fatalities are attributed to rollover accidents.
Pursuing Damages as a Passenger in an Auto Accident
Rollover accidents only make up about 3% of all auto accidents. While they are comparatively rare, they end in fatality more frequently than other kinds of accidents.
If you or your child was injured or killed as a passenger in an auto accident, you may be wondering if you can pursue compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, Texas law is very clear about the rights of passengers in an auto accident. Let’s take a look at what rights the law affords to injured or wrongfully killed passengers in Texas auto accidents.
Important Note: If you were a passenger in an Uber or Rideshare accident, different laws apply. Check out this article on commercial vehicle accidents instead.
Car Passenger Rights in San Antonio
Texas law allows passengers in auto accidents to pursue separate claims for injuries. Depending upon who is liable for the accident, passengers can sue for compensation from:
- Their Driver — If they caused the accident, the passenger may pursue damages from the driver.
- Another Driver — If another driver caused the accident, the passenger may pursue compensation from them.
- A Third-Party — If defective vehicle parts or construction debris caused or contributed to your injuries.
What Compensation is Available for Passenger Injuries?
In Texas, drivers are required to carry minimum insurance coverage of:
- $30,000 for injuries per person,
- $60,000 injury coverage per accident,
- and $25,000 property damage coverage.
Compensation can be from another driver’s insurance. However, if it’s not enough or if they are uninsured, your own PIP or Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist coverage can pick up the slack. Compensation in personal injury claims covers things like:
- Medical Bills,
- Ambulance Costs,
- Wrongful Death,
- Funeral Expenses,
- Disfigurement,
- Anxiety/PTSD,
- Lost Work,
- Property Damage,
- and More.
Wrongful Death Claims for Auto Accident Passengers
Immediate family members may sue for wrongful death if their family member died as a passenger in a third-party vehicle. The suit may be brought by:
- Husband/Wife
- Children
- Mother/Father
Siblings and grandparents are excluded from bringing wrongful death claims in Texas. Additionally, if a child is legally adopted, they may not sue on behalf of their biological parent, only their adoptive parent.
Injured as a Passenger in a Texas Auto Accident? Call Carabin Shaw.
If you were injured or lost a family member in an auto accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Our team can help you find out.
Carabin Shaw has represented those injured as passengers in auto accidents across Texas for over 30 years. We’re a trusted name in San Antonio because we put our clients first. If you were injured, call the team that cares for a free case evaluation at 800-862-1260 or hop into the live chat to find out if you have a case. We look forward to serving you.