It is not only the drivers of vehicles who are injured when there is a serious car accident. Anyone in the car, including passengers, could be very badly injured. When this is the case, and the car accident is caused by another person's negligence, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit and receive financial compensation for your injuries. You should not have to handle the financial burden of your medical bills, lost work, and pain and suffering.
Passengers have rights, but the legal process to assert those rights can be confusing and is often different than the typical driver suing another driver type of lawsuit. As a passenger, your best course of action is to work with a highly experienced attorney who understands these complexities and can make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
I was a Passenger in a Car Accident. What do I do now?
Like any other accident, your first course of action is to make sure that you get medical attention, if necessary. Some things you should do immediately following the accident include:
- Call 911 if there are injuries (or if you are not sure),
- Talk to the police,
- Get a copy of the police report,
- Gather information of any eyewitnesses, and
- Take pictures with your phone or camera of the accident scene and any injuries you suffered.
The work you do immediately after an accident to gather information can make or break your case and ensure you are fairly compensated.
Filing a Third Party Injury Claim
While a driver of a vehicle typically files a simple personal injury claim against the other driver or the other driver's insurance company, passengers often file a "third party" injury claim when filing with the other driver's insurance company. The "at-fault" driver should be the one whose insurance covers everyone injured. Whether the "at-fault" driver was the person in the other car, or whether the driver of the car you were in is at fault, you have the right to have your medical costs covered by the at-fault driver's insurance company.
In multi-vehicle accidents, you may need to file claims against multiple insurance companies. They will each seek to pin the blame and cost burden on each other, and so they will try anything they can to get out of paying your claim. This is one area where legal representation is crucial to protecting your rights. Insurance adjusters who call you may act like your friend and act as though they want to get you your money, but in reality, it is their job to find a reason to reduce the amount you are given or to find an excuse not to pay you at all.
Consult an Experienced Denver Auto Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in any sort of motor vehicle accident in the greater Denver metropolitan area, please do not hesitate to contact us today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here waiting for you.
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