When it comes to insurance claims after a car accident, the majority of the involved parties are the drivers of the vehicles themselves. However, if you are simply the passenger in one of the vehicles, but were not driving, how does a personal injury claim work? Are you still entitled to compensation for any injuries sustained?
Thankfully, you have several important rights if you are injured in a car crash as a passenger. However, due to the complicated nature of filing claims and making settlements with the opposing attorneys of potentially several drivers, it’s absolutely critical to consult a qualified personal injury attorney in this situation. The lawyers at Nelson Personal Injury have experience handling the claims filed from these types of scenarios; as a passenger, here’s what you need to know about your rights.
You Have a Right to Compensation
Whether you were driving the vehicle or not, you have the right to compensation if you sustained injuries as a result of another driver. Generally, the amount of compensation you are entitled to is the same whether you were a driver or a passenger in the relevant crash.
The compensation you have the right to collect will cover:
- Medical bills that result from injuries sustained in the crash
- Coverage of wages lost from missing work due to injury
- Additional cost of pain and suffering
Your personal injury attorney can help guide you through the process of pursuing these various avenues of payment, as well as help determine the amounts of each by liaising with the attorneys of the drivers.
You May Have Options on Filing Claims
Depending on the nature of the accident, there could be a myriad of parties involved in the case. For example, in the case of two drivers that were each at least somewhat at fault in the accident, it may be necessary to elicit personal injury compensation from both. The insurance companies of all three parties would likely be involved in this case, along with the attorneys that the drivers employ to defend them. The picture also changes depending on if the vehicle in which you were a passenger is actually yours, or if it is covered by the driver’s insurance policy.
This is why working with the right personal injury attorney is vital. The lawyers at Nelson Personal Injury will take on the big insurance companies as well as handle the communication with other attorneys to make sure you are fairly represented and compensated.
The Case Cannot – and Should Not – Be Handled Alone
It may be tempting in the aftermath of an accident to “shake off” any injury you sustained, and simply let the two drivers handle the case themselves. However, this would be a mistake. You could be missing out on significant compensation that is rightfully yours.
You should not have to undergo injury and costs through no fault of your own. And once you decide to pursue the compensation you are owed, you will quickly learn that consulting the right attorney is critical to handling the situation efficiently and correctly.
For 30 years, the attorneys at Nelson Personal Injury have represented thousands of clients throughout the state of Minnesota – and collected millions of dollars in personal injury compensation for those clients. Every case is unique, and we can help you navigate it.
Trust the Experts
The personal injury lawyers at Nelson Personal Injury understand that personal injury claims can be difficult to understand and move forward – that’s why we work hard to make sure you feel heard and to get you the compensation you deserve. We will thoroughly evaluate your case, communicate with outside parties, and make sure you get on the right track to recovery. If you have been involved in a car accident as a passenger, find out how we can help you with your claim: nelsonpersonalinjury.com.
