Can I Receive Compensation for Car Accident Injuries if I Was a Passenger?

 Posted on September 15, 2020 in Car Accidents

Although we rarely think about it, getting into a car is one of the most dangerous things we do on a regular basis. It is estimated that approximately 6 million car accidents occur in the U.S. every year, resulting in 3 million injuries. Car accident victims may be other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers. If you have been injured in a car accident and you were not the driver, you may have questions about your legal options. You may be left with expensive medical bills and other financial losses caused by your injuries. In many cases, a personal injury claim can help injured passengers obtain financial compensation for losses such as these.

Determining Fault for Your Car Accident

Before you can recover compensation for a car accident, the liable or at-fault party must be determined. In many car accidents, there is more than one party who is considered to be at fault. For example, one driver may have been speeding while the other driver was texting and driving or otherwise distracted. However, a passenger cannot be held liable for a car accident because he or she was not in control of a vehicle. If more than one party is liable for a car accident, you may need to file multiple claims in order to recover enough compensation to cover the full extent of your damages.

Personal Injury Claims When a Friend or Loved One Is At Fault

Many injured passengers find themselves in tricky situation because the liable party is someone that they are close to. If you were involved in a car accident and the at-fault party was your family member, friend, co-worker, or someone else with whom you have a relationship, you may be hesitant to bring an injury claim and pursue compensation. However, it is important to note that when you bring a personal injury claim for injuries suffered in a car accident, you are not usually expecting the driver to pay for your losses personally. The payments will most likely be made by his or her car insurance company.

Contact a Winnebago County Car Accident Injury Lawyer

If you were injured as a passenger in a car accident you may be entitled to compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost income due to missed work, pain and suffering, and more. At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, we understand that bringing a personal injury claim as a passenger can be a tedious and complicated process. We are prepared to work diligently on your behalf to pursue the compensation you need and deserve. Call our office at 815-215-7561 and schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Freeport personal injury attorneys to learn more.

Sources:

https://www.driverknowledge.com/car-accident-statistics/

https://courts.illinois.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/IL_IPI_Civil.pdf