When injured as a passenger by an at-fault driver here in Alabama, you may find your claim denied by the insurance company. However, that does not mean you should give up hope. An experienced attorney can work to appeal your claim, as well as explain the exceptions to this law and discover if they apply to your case: Reckless and/or wanton behavior. The Guest Statute does not apply in cases where the driver was intentionally irresponsible; i.e., they knew of the risk and took it regardless. Examples of this might include a driver causing a crash by texting behind the wheel, trying to beat a yellow light, or driving while intoxicated. Transported with payment. The statute applies to guests traveling without payment, which means social guests only. Even if you are not paying the driver cash for a ride, it does not necessarily mean you are barred from a claim. For example, in the Alabama Supreme Court case Hurst v. Sneed, a passenger suffered injuries during a trip to the store with a neighbor. Because the passenger was specifically on the trip to assist the driver with shopping and errands – which benefitted the driver – under the statute, she was not barred from filing a claim for damages. Protesting the driver’s behavior. A passenger may no longer be considered a “guest” when they are fearful of the driver’s actions and asks them to slow down or stop the vehicle. When a passenger protests a driver’s behavior, the driver’s liability protection is removed. As a passenger, if you feel you are in physical danger, make a forceful protest and leave the vehicle as soon as you are safely able to. Use your cell phone to your advantage; both to record evidence of your protest and to call authorities or friends to pick you up. The Guest Statute also does not apply to passengers on a business trip or venture, or to young children and other individuals unable to consent to their guest status in a vehicle.