Passenger-carrying limousines must comply with various federal and state laws, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). However, accidents can happen either due to driver-related reasons or vehicle defects. In one incident in 2018, 20 limousine occupants, including the driver, died in an accident in New York state, according to a USA Today news article.
If you or a loved one is hurt in an accident with a limousine, you may have legal recourse. However, limousine accidents can be complicated as they might involve various responsible parties. Contacting a limousine accident lawyer can help you navigate the process, including weighing any legal options you may have. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 for a free review of your limousine accident case.
Limousine Driver or Company Negligence
Limousine rides can be great fun and are popular for birthdays, weddings, family celebrations, and business events. Limousine companies and drivers are required to abide by regulations and laws to operate limousines and ensure passengers’ health and safety. When it comes to an accident with a limousine, several parties could be responsible, including:
The Limousine Driver
A driver may be responsible if the individual violates any traffic laws, exhibits distracted driving, speeds excessively, or drives under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, for example.
The Company Operating the Limousine
A company could be responsible for your accident if it practiced negligent hiring or inadequate training of drivers. A company could also be responsible if it denied a driver appropriate rest periods or overbooked a limousine, causing overcrowding of a vehicle.
A Mechanic or Company Servicing the Limousine
Some accidents occur due to faulty brakes or old and threadbare tires, for example. If the limousine company outsourced the servicing and maintaining of vehicles to another company or a mechanic, the third party might be responsible for an accident caused by a lack of maintenance.
The Manufacturer of the Limousine
Occasionally, a manufacturer may be wholly or partially responsible for a crash, if, for example, the vehicle had a fault or a failed part.
While it can be tempting to jump to conclusions and blame an accident on the driver, in reality, several parties might be responsible for your limousine accident. This means that while you might have several avenues for recovering compensation, it could also make litigation complicated and challenging.
However, a limousine accident lawyer knows the legal context in which limousines operate and how to prove negligence. If you are suffering from injuries and financial losses in an accident with a limousine, you may benefit from professional legal advice. Connect with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to find out what legal strategies you can pursue in your case.
Injuries in Accidents with Limousines
Limousines are typically classified as commercial vehicles. This means they may not be held to the same safety standards as private vehicles, for example, when it comes to wearing seatbelts. Unfortunately, accidents in which car or limousine passengers do not wear seatbelts can have an unfortunate end. Passengers in limousine accidents can suffer from extensive and life-changing injuries, including:
- Severe head trauma
- Fractured bones
- Severed limbs and amputations
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Facial cuts and lacerations
If you have extensive injuries after an accident with a limousine, or your loved one died in such an accident, you could file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for your losses.
However, to receive any compensation, you will have to prove the negligence of the at-fault party. In limousine accidents, this can require extensive research, analysis, and possibly even the opinions of expert witnesses.
Standing up to a limousine company can be daunting and feel overwhelming, especially if you are still recovering from your accident. Your limousine accident lawyer can help you build a case against the negligent party or parties while you are healing from your injuries.
Proving Negligence in Limousine Accidents
If an accident with a limousine occurs, and the driver, company, or a third party negligently caused the accident, you could have legal recourse, but the burden of proof falls on you, the plaintiff.
Generally, you will need to prove, with relevant evidence, that the defendant (the company, driver, or third party) owed you a duty of care. You will also need to establish that they breached this duty of care and that the breach caused your injuries and your damages. While fault and negligence could seem obvious to you, you will need evidence to back up your lawsuit in court.
Evidence
Evidence in support of your lawsuit can include police reports of the accident, photographs of the accident scene and vehicles, and your medical records. You may also need to draw on eyewitness statements, expert witnesses, or accident reconstruction professionals to prove your case. A limousine accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence and supply expert witnesses needed to prove your case.
Compensation
If you can prove negligence and liability successfully in a limousine accident case, you could recover compensation, including but not limited to:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Physical and mental pain and anguish
- Material damage
- Lost limbs
- Disability
- Disfigurement
There may be other types of compensation available to you in your specific case.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Can Fight for You
You do not have to struggle with a complicated limousine lawsuit by yourself; you can lean on a limousine accident lawyer to fight for justice and compensation on your behalf.
We are not afraid to tackle tough and complicated accident cases and stand up to a limousine company and insurances.
First, we can offer you a free consultation with a member of our team to assess your case, answer your most pressing questions, and advise you on your legal options.
In personal injury or wrongful death cases, we can sometimes agree on an out-of-court settlement with the defendants and their insurances. However, if we cannot reach a fair settlement with the at-fault party, we can take your case to court and represent you and your interests.
We will not charge any attorney’s fees upfront, so there is no need to worry about any out-of-pocket costs when you work with us. We take our fee only if we win a settlement for you. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at (844) 730-0233 now, and let us start working for you.
