Passenger Accident Lawsuits

Next » Posted On: March 18, 2011 by Laura G. Zois

Jury Verdict Research did a study that found that the average money damages verdict in a car/truck accident case brought by the passenger is $486,098. Sounds like a lot but high (and maybe uncollectable) verdicts distort the average. The median passenger verdict is $30,000.

Here is where it gets interesting. I think it is difficult to lose a passenger accident case. Certainly the passenger is not responsible for the accident (ignoring for a second the "I knew he was drunk out of his mind and I got in the car with him anyway" passenger). Yet plaintiffs only receive money damages in 62 percent of passenger cases that go to verdict.

I just can't make sense of the numbers. Here is how it breaks out:

Host Driver's Negligence: 58%
Both Drivers' Negligence: 64%
Driver & Business Negligence: 73%
Driver & Government Negligence: 74%
Passenger Suits Generally: 62%

I would love to grab a random handful of the defense verdicts and look at the fact pattern. Because it makes no sense to me. These should be very easy cases for accident lawyers to always win.

Posted by Laura G. Zois

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Lawsuits Against Bars in Maryland

Home Posted On: March 25, 2011 by Laura G. Zois

A lawsuit has been filed in a fatal car accident that caused the tragic death of a 7-year-old girl in Pittsburgh. Plaintiff's lawsuit is against the driver who was, according to the claim, driving at twice the legal BAC limit. The suit also names the bar that allegedly continued to serve the Plaintiff.

This case would not survive summary judgment in Maryland. Famously - okay, maybe not famously but I think someone read it - the Maryland Injury Lawyer Blog changed its position on dram shop laws in this post.

Posted by Laura G. Zois

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