Passenger Injury Claims After a Car Accident Lynchburg VA
Passenger Injury Claims: What To Do if You’re Injured in A Car Accident as a Passenger?
Motor vehicle accidents are a daily occurrence in Virginia and can have serious and sometimes life altering consequences for both the driver of the vehicle and their passengers. Anyone that is involved in a crash while driving knows they are covered by their own insurance policy. But what happens if you are in an accident as a passenger in a vehicle? Passengers may have coverage from multiple insurance carriers, the car they are riding in, the other driver, and possibly their own insurance.
Can I claim for being a passenger in a car accident?
If you are injured as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident you do have legal rights. Passengers face the same hardships as a driver when they are injured in an accident, medical bills, lost wages, and possible long-term care. So, if you suffered bodily injury, and did nothing to cause the accident, then you have the right to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your injuries. In some cases, passengers can sue multiple drivers.
Are Passengers covered by car insurance?
Every state requires drivers to carry auto insurance that includes liability insurance to cover any harm to third parties that they are at fault, or liable for. Passengers that suffered injuries in an accident may also be covered by multiple insurance companies, including a claim against the driver of the car they are riding in, or the policy of the driver of the other vehicle. In some cases, the injured passengers may also be covered by their own insurance. Many people are uncomfortable filing a claim against the driver of the vehicle they are in, as they are often a friend or loved one. But in almost every case you are not suing the driver personally, you are suing the driver’s insurance company and that policies liability coverage. People pay for this coverage as part of their insurance policy in the event they are a negligent driver and responsible for the accident and cause injury or damage to a passenger in their vehicle.
Who Is Responsible for Passengers Wearing Seatbelts?
Virginia law requires drivers of vehicles to make sure that everyone seated in the front seat of a vehicle, regardless of age, to be properly restrained. Additionally, it also requires that everyone under the age of 18 be properly secured in a safety belt or child safety seat no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Insurance companies may fight paying claims or not pay full benefits to anyone that was not wearing a seat belt and injured in a crash.
When Should Injured Passengers in a Car Accident Hire an Attorney?
Passengers or loved ones of anyone injured in an accident should seek the help of an experienced accident and personal injury attorney immediately after seeking medical treatment. Our attorneys at Randall J. Trost, P.C. have helped injury victims and their families throughout Virginia since 1982. We offer a free consultation and case review, and never charge any upfront fees. We only get paid if we win, and we will do everything we can to put you back to the way you were before the accident.