Guest Statute Definition

A law in only a few states that prevents a nonpaying automobile passenger from suing the driver when the passenger is hurt as a result of the simple negligence of the driver. In general, the social passenger can sue the driver only if the driver's actions constitute gross, or extreme, negligence. Examples might include drunk driving, playing "chicken," driving a car knowing that the brakes are faulty, or continuing to drive recklessly after the passenger has asked the driver to stop or asked to be let out.