What to do if You are an Injured Passenger
Posted Friday, January 3, 2020 by Chris Thayer
If you were in a car accident as a passenger, you have the right to receive compensation for injuries if they were caused by someone else’s negligence. You may have the right to sue the driver of the car in which you were a passenger or another driver. Follow these guidelines if you were injured in a car accident as a passenger.
*Seek Medical Attention * If you were involved in a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. If the ambulance arrives at the scene of the accident, allow the medical professionals to assess your injuries. If you need to go to a hospital, do so as soon as possible. If you start to feel worse over the next few hours or days, go to your primary care physician. At any time after an accident, pain and injuries can appear. Oftentimes, the adrenaline of an accident will prevent a victim from feeling or noticing the extent of his or her injuries.
*Exchange Information*You are not only a victim in this accident, but you are also a witness. Make sure to give the police officer your name and contact information. Due to the fact that you were also hurt in the accident, attempt to exchange contact information with all other drivers, passengers, and witnesses to the accident.
*File a Claim *Depending on the facts and circumstances of the car accident you were involved in, your options regarding filing a claim to receive compensation as a passenger include:
- Your Driver. You have the right to file a claim against your driver if the accident was determined to be his/her fault.
- Any Other Driver Involved. If your driver was not at fault, or not completely at-fault, you have the right to file a claim against any other negligent driver involved in the accident.
- Your Own Insurance Company. If you were a passenger in your own vehicle but someone else was driving, you may have the right to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Regardless of which insurance company you file a claim with, make sure to be careful when visiting with an insurance adjuster regarding the accident. Insurance companies often offer low settlements or simply refuse to pay your claim altogether based on something you may say. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help you negotiate with insurance companies and receive the compensation you deserve.
*Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney*If you were injured as a passenger in a car accident, you have legal rights. Contact our experienced legal team at the Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008. We can help you negotiate with the appropriate insurance company and help you receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and help you build a strong personal injury case. No matter which driver was negligent and caused your injuries, you have the right to receive monetary compensation for your damages. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island and Issaquah areas.