Passengers get hurt in car accidents too, and someone needs to pay for their injuries. It’s unlikely that they were to blame for the accident in some way, so they deserve compensation. If you were a passenger in a car that got into an accident, you may be confused about what you can do to get your medical bills paid. A Monmouth County car accident lawyer from our firm may be able to help you.
What Should Passengers Do After a Car Accident?
After accidents, passengers should do anything that they would do if they were the driver of a car that got into a crash. They should:
- Take pictures of the accident scene, damage to the vehicle, and their injuries
- Get contact info from witnesses
- Make sure that cops are called to the scene
- Receive insurance information from all involved drivers
Then it’s time to get medical care as soon as you can. After that, you can consider hiring a lawyer and pursuing compensation.
Are Passengers Covered Under the Driver’s Insurance Policy?
In most cases, a driver’s insurance coverage also extends to their passengers. Unless you hid in the trunk or something, the driver knowingly took on liability when they invited another person into their car. Their liability coverage and PIP coverage from their auto insurance should help you with your bills.
If the insurance company gives you a lowball offer, it may be necessary to pursue legal action. Some people are reluctant to do this, but you have to remember that you are not suing your friend or family member here. You are going after their insurer, who they make payments to every month just in case of situations like these.
Can Passengers Still Sue Another Driver?
In some cases, serious injuries can cost more to treat and the driver’s insurance policy coverage is not enough to make up for all of the expenses stemming from an accident. In those situations, it may be possible to sue another driver who helped cause the accident. A lawyer from our firm can help you file a lawsuit against them and their policy.
What About Uber and Lyft Accidents?
Any passengers who get injured in Uber or Lyft accidents should be covered by the insurance policy of the rideshare company itself. Uber or Lyft coverage can change based on whether the driver is logged into a rideshare app, on the way to a fare, or currently transporting passengers. It can seem confusing, but our law firm can help you figure out whose insurance policy should be responsible for covering your expenses.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
If you were hurt in an accident, it does not matter where in the car you were seated. A lawyer from Falcon Law Firm will do their best to help you secure compensation. Contact us today and set up a free consultation. We would be happy to tell you more about your legal options.
