There is a lot of information available online and through other sources that tells you what to do if you’re injured in a car crash and are the driver. Less commonly, there is some information about what to do if you’re a pedestrian or cyclist. What about passengers, though? Passengers have many of the same options to make a personal injury claim as drivers, such as making a claim against the at-fault driver.
Passengers also have an additional option, which is to make a claim against the insurance of the driver whose vehicle they’re in. Passengers may have their own insurance policies, too, which could help them get the compensation they need to pursue appropriate medical care and to replace lost wages or other financial losses.
Passengers in car crashes have the option to pursue compensation
As a passenger who has been injured, you should follow the same steps as others who may have been hurt in the car crash. You should:
- Collect information about the crash (if possible)
- Exchange insurance information (if possible)
- Go to the hospital to seek medical care
- Keep copies of all documents related to your care and the costs associated with it
- Learn more about your legal options to sue or make a claim
Since every crash is different, you will be able to make claims based on who is at fault and the specific policy limits.
Making your claim: Go down through this list
There are several ways for you to get compensated after you’re involved in a crash.
Start off by looking into filing a claim against the at-fault driver. If they are driving for a company, such as if they’re a taxi driver, you may also be able to look into making a claim against their company.
Then, you can also look into claiming against your vehicle’s driver’s insurance or their company, if they are driving on the clock. You may also be able to seek compensation from your own insurance if you have underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage or other policy options that will cover your care.
There are various ways to seek the fair compensation you need. Since this can be a complex situation, it may be valuable to talk to someone familiar with the law and your options for recovering the money you need.
