You’ve just been in a nasty car accident; even if you sustained minor or no injuries, the whole event can seem so surreal and you might still have a hard time grappling with the reality of the aftermath of the accident. The truth is that no one expects to be in a car accident, but they happen anyway. However, there are certain things you need to know and do if you sustained personal injury as a passenger in a car accident as these will make it easier to deal with your insurance company.
It’s vital for everyone to know what he or she is supposed to do if one of these unfortunate situations happens. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the important things you need to know as an injured passenger. Let’s get into it, shall we?
You Have The Right To Make A Claim
Most of the time, when nasty car accidents happen, people talk about drivers filing personal injury claims against the at-fault party, but no one really talks about the passengers or what they need to do after an accident. As a passenger, when you get into a vehicle, you expect the driver to safely drive you to your destination. However, this may not be the case, especially if an accident happens. In such a case, you might end up sustaining some serious or minor injuries.
But the questions most people ask are: “what kind of claim can you make as a passenger” and “who should you file the claim with?”
As a passenger, your options for filing a claim are quite limited when compared to that of drivers, but you can still make a claim against the party responsible for the accident; this could be your driver or the other driver. I will explain these instances better in the next paragraphs.
You Can Sue A Driver For Additional Coverage
Many people do not know this, but you can sue a driver for additional coverage if your injuries are serious. The more serious the injury, the higher the cost of your medical bills. You will need someone to take responsibility for the cost of your medical expenses. In cases like this, you can find a good personal injury attorney at WilsonLawGroupSC.com to help you handle the whole process. This is usually the best option for people looking to get long-term treatment for their injuries. However, this process can be frustratingly tedious and challenging, especially without a good personal injury attorney.
You Can File A Claim With Your Driver
While your driver may also sustain injuries due to the nasty car accident, this does not mean you cannot file a claim with him or her. As a passenger, your driver is responsible for your safety and is obligated to safely drive you to your destination. If your driver is responsible for the accident and your injury, he or she is obligated to cover your medical expenses with their insurance.
You Can File A Claim With The Other Driver
If your driver is solely responsible for the nasty car accident, you may not be able to file a claim against the other driver. But, in cases where the other driver is at fault, you can easily file a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy.
However, to successfully get compensation, you need to prove that the other driver’s mistake approximately resulted in the accident and your injuries. This will require witness testimony, evidence, and more as substantial proof. In this case, you’ll need all the help you can get. This is why hiring a personal injury attorney is useful in helping you investigate and collect the information required to build a strong case.
You Can Be Considered As The At-Fault Party
Sounds ridiculous, right? But, there’s a good chance you can also be considered at fault if you sustain injuries in a car accident. This is typically the case when a passenger gets into a vehicle even though he or she knows the driver is driving under the influence. In this case, the passenger has no right to receive compensation for their injuries. Although the passenger may not be considered responsible for the car accident, they may be considered at fault for getting into a car with a driver under the influence.
Whether your driver is at fault or not, it is always in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney. Filing a compensation claim is often a long and tedious process, but with the aid of a personal injury attorney, you can get through the process easier, faster, and with a better understanding of your case.
