Being hurt in a motor vehicle accident can leave you overwhelmed and
wondering how you will pay for your medical bills and other expenses. If you’re
injured as a passenger, It can be challenging to figure out who may be
responsible for damages. A car accident lawyer can evaluate your case, determine who may be
at fault, and identify all possible sources of compensation. Who may be liable
will depend on the specific situation.
Options for Filing a Car Accident Claim as an
Injured Passenger
File a Claim with the Other Driver’s Insurance
Company
If another motorist caused an accident, and you were injured, you can
file a claim against his/her insurer. However, if multiple people were injured,
and the at-fault driver has low insurance policy limits, the amount of
compensation you receive may not be enough to cover all types of damages. When multiple vehicles are involved in an
accident, things can get even more complicated. Hiring an accident attorney can help take the weight off of your
shoulders and significantly increase your chances of recovering the full amount
of compensation you need and deserve.
File a Claim With Your Driver’s Insurer
You may also be able to have your medical bills and some other
accident-related expenses covered by the insurer of the person who was driving
the car you were in, regardless of who was at fault. In Pennsylvania, drivers
are required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage included in
their vehicle insurance policy. Again, depending on the driver’s insurance
policy limits, PIP may or may not be enough to cover all of your medical bills
and wage loss.
If the driver of the car you were riding in as a passenger is at
fault, you may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages such
as pain and suffering from the liability coverage on the driver’s policy.
People are often hesitant to file a claim with a friend’s or family member’s
insurance company. However, you are not trying to get money from them
personally, but rather are seeking compensation from their insurer. Once you
file a claim, it will be between you and the insurer, and your loved one will
likely not be involved. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, they will handle all communications and
negotiations with insurers.
File a Claim with Your Own Auto Insurance
Company
If you have your own car insurance policy with PIP, MedPay, or
uninsured /underinsured motorist coverage, you can use it to pay your medical
bills and damages even though you weren’t driving. You may also be able to use
your health insurance to cover medical costs. However, some insurers may
require you to exhaust auto insurance claims first.
Dealing with multiple insurers can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers provide free case evaluations and give you a
straightforward assessment of your claim.
If your claim proceeds, we handle all aspects of your case, act as your
strong advocates, and fight to help you recover the full and fair amount of
compensation you need to protect your health and financial security.
This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/what-happens-when-youre-injured-as-a-passenger-in-a-motor-vehicle-accident/
