Icy roads, driving under the influence, and a lack of seatbelts combined earlier this week to create a tragic and dangerous roll-over accident on SE Loop 410 and Sulphur Springs Road. The accident occurred just before 4:00 in the morning, when the driver of a Ford Expedition with five people inside lost control of the vehicle.
According to police, the driver was traveling north on SE Loop 410, and lost control of the vehicle as he passed Sulphur Springs Road. It is believed that ice on the road caused the driver to lose control of the Expedition. Police stated that the driver swerved right, and ended up in a grassy area between the highway lanes and the access road, where the Expedition rolled over several times. Police said that four of the five people in the Expedition were not wearing seatbelts. All four passengers who were not wearing seatbelts were ejected from the Expedition as it rolled over, and all four suffered serious injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. It is worth noting that the fifth individual in the Expedition who was wearing their seatbelt did not suffer any injuries.
The driver of the Expedition was evaluated by police at the scene of the accident, and, according to police, showed signs of being intoxicated. The investigation remains open and ongoing at this time. It has not yet been reported whether the Expedition’s driver will be charged with DWI or anything else in association with the crash.
Can You Sue for a Car Crash if You were a Passenger?
If you are injured in a car accident that is not your fault, you have the right to sue to recover for damages, regardless of whether you were a driver or a passenger. This is true even if you were a passenger in the car responsible for the crash. Just like the at-fault driver is responsible for any injuries they cause to other drivers and passengers, they are also held accountable for the safety of their own passengers. Under Texas law, all drivers must maintain a reasonable standard of care when operating a vehicle. When a person drives drunk, incapacitated, fatiged, or distracted, they fail to meet this standard of care, and are responsible for any harm that occurs as a result.
Bringing a Lawsuit
You are owed a reasonable standard of care by everyone on the road, including the person driving you. A driver is responsible for everyone that they choose to let in their car. If you have been injured because the person driving you was drunk, under the influence, speeding, or acting recklessly or negligently, you are legally entitled to hold them accountable for the harm you suffered as a result.
A successful lawsuit allows you to recover for all past and anticipated future medical expenses and costs stemming from the crash, as well as for lost income, lost earning potential, and for intangible expenses, such as pain and suffering.
Talk to a Lawyer
If you have been injured as a result of a vehicle accident that was not your fault, there is no reason that you should have to suffer the consequences alone. The Law Office of Eric Ramos is here to help. Schedule a free consultation to find out how we can help you get the support and compensation that you deserve. Call 210-404-HURT today. There’s no fee until we win.