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02/02/2024

I Was a Passenger in a Car Accident: What Should I Do Now?

- The Pollard Firm, APC

What Are My Rights as a Passenger in a Car Accident?

There are few things more devastating than being involved in a serious car accident. Without warning, your entire life can change, particularly if you are severely injured. If you are a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, you may wonder what your rights are and how you obtain compensation for your injuries.

At The Pollard Law Firm, APC, our personal injury attorneys will help guide you through the claims process. We provide dedicated, experienced representation for car accident victims throughout the Inland Empire. We know California law and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation. 

If I Am an Injured Passenger in a Car Accident, Can I File a Claim If the Driver Was At Fault?

If you are an injured passenger in a car accident, you are likely able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In many cases, you will not have to sue which can ease any tension if the driver was a family member or friend. 

California is a tort state, meaning an injured party can bring a claim for damages against an at-fault party. In most cases, a claim is brought against the insurance company of the driver that caused the accident. 

In some cases, there may be more than one party at fault or multiple insurance policies that come into play. Making sure that you file a claim against the appropriate parties and insurance company can prove critical to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. 

What Is a Third-Party Insurance Claim?

There are two types of insurance claims. The first is a first-party insurance claim, meaning you are filing a claim with your own insurance. The second is a third-party insurance claim, meaning you are not the policyholder or the insurance company. Third-party insurance claims occur when an injured party who is not the policyholder files a claim against the insurance company for damages. 

In order to file a successful third-party insurance claim, you will need to show that the policyholder was at fault or liable for the accident. Liability may be determined through an investigation into who or what caused the accident. 

Shortly after the accident, you may be contacted by an insurance representative to give a statement about what happened. It is important to consult with a personal injury attorney prior to making any statements to the insurance company. What you say could end up hurting your case or your chance at obtaining a full and fair settlement. 

How Much Money Can a Passenger In a Car Accident Receive as Compensation?

The amount of money a passenger injured in a car accident may receive in compensation will depend on a number of factors, including who was liable for the accident, whether the passenger shared any fault for their injuries and the extent of the injuries themselves.

An injured passenger may seek compensation for accident-related losses, including compensation for your:

  • Medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Future medical bills and treatment

Under most circumstances, the more severe the injuries, the more you can claim in damages. One of the most important things you can do after being involved in an accident is to seek medical treatment. Failure to seek medical attention can negatively impact your case and may result in a reduction of your potential compensation. 

Common Passenger Injuries in Car Accidents 

Passengers in car accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries. In many instances, your body may be in shock after an accident and unable to ascertain the true extent of your injuries. It may take days or even weeks for you to feel the pain and discomfort that was caused by the accident.

Common passenger injuries in car accidents:

  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Sprains and strains
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Airbag injuries
  • Disfigurement
  • Amputation

If you are seriously injured in a car accident, it is likely in your best interest to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim will help you obtain the compensation you need to cover all of your accident-related losses. 

In order to file a claim, however, you will want to know your rights and responsibilities after the accident. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process and work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve based on the circumstances of your case.

What Should I Do First If I am a Passenger Injured in an Accident?

If you are a passenger injured in an accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Any delay in obtaining an accurate diagnosis or treatment may exacerbate your injuries, making the harm worse. Document all of your injuries and make sure to keep your medical records available for an attorney to review or to get a second opinion.

Once you are able, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced car accident attorney. One of the first questions you are likely to ask if you are injured as a passenger in a car accident is who you can sue for your injuries. 

In most cases, you will only need to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy and will not need to sue the driver of the car. This can be helpful if the driver is a close friend or relative. An attorney can work with you to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to cover all of your losses. 

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Our Office.

Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident in the Inland Empire? Contact our office to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys are here to help. We know how challenging this time may be for you and your family. 

Let us help you get on the road to recovery. Contact our firm today to tell us your story. We proudly serve clients in Diamond Bar, Pomona, and throughout the Inland Empire.

What Are My Rights as a Passenger in a Car Accident?

There are few things more devastating than being involved in a serious car accident. Without warning, your entire life can change, particularly if you are severely injured. If you are a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, you may wonder what your rights are and how you obtain compensation for your injuries.

At The Pollard Law Firm, APC, our personal injury attorneys will help guide you through the claims process. We provide dedicated, experienced representation for car accident victims throughout the Inland Empire. We know California law and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation. 

If I Am an Injured Passenger in a Car Accident, Can I File a Claim If the Driver Was At Fault?

If you are an injured passenger in a car accident, you are likely able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In many cases, you will not have to sue which can ease any tension if the driver was a family member or friend. 

California is a tort state, meaning an injured party can bring a claim for damages against an at-fault party. In most cases, a claim is brought against the insurance company of the driver that caused the accident. 

In some cases, there may be more than one party at fault or multiple insurance policies that come into play. Making sure that you file a claim against the appropriate parties and insurance company can prove critical to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. 

What Is a Third-Party Insurance Claim?

There are two types of insurance claims. The first is a first-party insurance claim, meaning you are filing a claim with your own insurance. The second is a third-party insurance claim, meaning you are not the policyholder or the insurance company. Third-party insurance claims occur when an injured party who is not the policyholder files a claim against the insurance company for damages. 

In order to file a successful third-party insurance claim, you will need to show that the policyholder was at fault or liable for the accident. Liability may be determined through an investigation into who or what caused the accident. 

Shortly after the accident, you may be contacted by an insurance representative to give a statement about what happened. It is important to consult with a personal injury attorney prior to making any statements to the insurance company. What you say could end up hurting your case or your chance at obtaining a full and fair settlement. 

How Much Money Can a Passenger In a Car Accident Receive as Compensation?

The amount of money a passenger injured in a car accident may receive in compensation will depend on a number of factors, including who was liable for the accident, whether the passenger shared any fault for their injuries and the extent of the injuries themselves.

An injured passenger may seek compensation for accident-related losses, including compensation for your:

  • Medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Future medical bills and treatment

Under most circumstances, the more severe the injuries, the more you can claim in damages. One of the most important things you can do after being involved in an accident is to seek medical treatment. Failure to seek medical attention can negatively impact your case and may result in a reduction of your potential compensation. 

Common Passenger Injuries in Car Accidents 

Passengers in car accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries. In many instances, your body may be in shock after an accident and unable to ascertain the true extent of your injuries. It may take days or even weeks for you to feel the pain and discomfort that was caused by the accident.

Common passenger injuries in car accidents:

  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Sprains and strains
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Airbag injuries
  • Disfigurement
  • Amputation

If you are seriously injured in a car accident, it is likely in your best interest to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim will help you obtain the compensation you need to cover all of your accident-related losses. 

In order to file a claim, however, you will want to know your rights and responsibilities after the accident. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process and work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve based on the circumstances of your case.

What Should I Do First If I am a Passenger Injured in an Accident?

If you are a passenger injured in an accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Any delay in obtaining an accurate diagnosis or treatment may exacerbate your injuries, making the harm worse. Document all of your injuries and make sure to keep your medical records available for an attorney to review or to get a second opinion.

Once you are able, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced car accident attorney. One of the first questions you are likely to ask if you are injured as a passenger in a car accident is who you can sue for your injuries. 

In most cases, you will only need to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy and will not need to sue the driver of the car. This can be helpful if the driver is a close friend or relative. An attorney can work with you to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to cover all of your losses. 

Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Our Office.

Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident in the Inland Empire? Contact our office to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys are here to help. We know how challenging this time may be for you and your family. 

Let us help you get on the road to recovery. Contact our firm today to tell us your story. We proudly serve clients in Diamond Bar, Pomona, and throughout the Inland Empire.

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