Every time one steps into a vehicle driven by another in Upper Marlboro, he or she is entrusting (either knowingly or inadvertently) his or her safety to that driver. By extension, so is his or her family. Thus, when passengers are killed or injured in car accidents, they and/or their families may be placed in the difficult position of having to make the drivers legally liable for the outcome. This may not be by choice; the need for monetary assistance to cover their accident expenses may require them to do so.
Two Bowie families may be forced to contemplate such a decision after their sons were involved in a recent accident. While one of the teens survived, the other sadly succumbed to his injuries. The boys were traveling in a car with another teenage girl, who has since been identified as the driver. The car suddenly swiped another vehicle, then subsequently lost control. It veered off of the road and then hit a tree. Both the surviving boy and the girl are reported to have sustained critical injuries.
Drivers may not know this, but they assume responsibility for the safety of their passengers when they get into their cars. Auto insurance may cover a portion of accident expenses, yet Maryland is a tort state when it comes to car accident coverage. This means that those involved must seek compensation from the insurance company of the driver responsible for their accidents. Given that insurers typically place caps on coverage, there is a strong possibility that passengers and other accident victims may require additional assistance in meeting their accident expenses. That assistance may only come in the form of a lawsuit. Those needing to initiate such action may wish to work with an attorney in doing so.
Source: WJLA "1 dead, 2 seriously injured in car crash in Prince George's County, police say" Apr. 09, 2018