Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney Narbeh Shirvanian talks about your California passenger rights in a car accident claim. He shares that his firm frequently receives calls from individuals who were passengers in car accidents. He emphasizes that passengers have the same legal rights as any other person involved in a vehicle collision. The process focuses on determining fault and assessing damages, regardless of whether the injured party was driving.

For example, if the driver of the vehicle in which the passenger was riding is at fault, the claim would be directed against that driver. This situation commonly arises in ride-share scenarios, such as with Uber or Lyft. If the driver makes an illegal maneuver, runs a red light, or causes a collision, passengers have the right to pursue a claim against the driver and, potentially, the ride-share company or employer.

Evaluating these cases requires the same legal considerations applied to standard auto accidents: establishing whether the driver, the registered owner, or an employer bears responsibility. Passengers in a vehicle deemed at fault retain the same rights and remedies as any other injured party, ensuring that their claims for damages are fully recognized and pursued.