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Were You a Passenger in a Car Accident?
Any time we are on the road, we put our trust in other drivers to drive safely and responsibly. But when we are passengers in a vehicle, we also put our trust in the person driving us.
When a vehicle collision occurs, passengers are just as likely to suffer severe injuries as drivers. In fact, the risks of injury or death are significantly higher for backseat passengers due to a lower rate of seatbelt use. Research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed that unbuckled rear-seat passengers were eight times more likely to be hurt or killed in a crash than buckled back-seat passengers.
Who Pays the Medical Bills if You Were a Passenger Injured in a Car Accident?
Injured passengers experience pain and immobility, face mounting medical bills, lose out on wages, and worry about the future just as injured drivers do. And passengers also have the right to file personal injury lawsuits against the parties whose negligence caused their injuries and losses.
If you are a passenger in a car accident caused by another driver, you may seek compensation from them just as the driver can. But what if the driver of the car you were in was responsible for the crash? If you suffered injuries as a result of a friend or family member’s negligence behind the wheel, you want compensation for your losses, but do you really want to sue your friend? Do you have to?
You may find yourself asking, “I was a passenger injured in a car accident, who pays my medical bills?”
At Sandoval & James we help passengers in motor vehicle accidents navigate the unique issues involved in such cases. When you meet with us for your free initial consultation, we will discuss the circumstances of your accident and the extent of your injuries with you, and take the time to answer any questions you have about how to proceed.
We will clearly explain your options and embark on a course of action best suited to provide the compensation you need while being mindful of your other concerns.
What to Do if You’re Injured in a Car Accident as a Passenger
If you were injured while in a car driven by a friend or family member, it is important to remember a crucial fact about most auto accident lawsuits. While a negligent driver may be the person named as a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit, in most cases he or she will not be the one on the hook for damages or attorneys fees if found responsible for your injuries.
If your driver’s negligence contributed to the accident and he or she had liability insurance as Texas law requires, the insurance company, not the driver, will pay any damages awarded at trial or agreed to at settlement, up to the policy limits. The insurer will also cover any legal fees or costs incurred in defending a personal injury lawsuit for damages.
An insurance company will likely pay for your injuries and losses, not the driver. Even if the driver responsible for your losses was uninsured, you still might be able to obtain compensation.
We can explore the possibilities of filing a claim with your own insurer if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Regardless of who was at fault for your injuries or their insurance coverage status, we will explore every possible avenue for getting you compensation for your losses. You pay us nothing in attorneys’ fees until and unless we get that compensation in your pocket.
What if You Were a Passenger in a Car Accident Without Insurance?
Not all drivers in the state of Texas uphold their legal obligations. Many individuals operate motor vehicles unlawfully, lacking proper driver’s licenses or sufficient auto insurance.
In situations where an uninsured or underinsured driver collides with your vehicle, or if you were a passenger in a car accident involving an uninsured driver, the fault regulations in Texas might not offer much assistance. You should contact a car accident insurance lawyer near you to understand how it works as a passenger.
The possibility of filing an injury claim with the insurance provider of the driver at fault could be futile if that individual doesn’t possess an insurance policy, to begin with.
However, there is a silver lining: alternative avenues do exist through which you can seek the financial restitution you deserve for your injuries. Talk with one of our experienced car accident attorneys near you today to discuss your options.
CONTACT SANDOVAL JAMES TODAY FOR YOUR FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
If you were injured as a passenger in a car wreck, bus accident, or ridesharing vehicle, please contact Sandoval & James today. We are committed to helping injury victims get back to their lives, fighting tirelessly to get them the full compensation that can help them do so.
To arrange for your free initial consultation with one of our Austin motor vehicle accident lawyers, call us today at 512-382-7707 orcontact us online.
CASE STUDIES
Austin Passenger Injury Settlement Amounts in Texas
$800,000
Gross Settlement | Commercial Vehicle Accident
Expenses: $45,553.37
Net to Clients: $253,829.77
Our client was traveling west on Howard Lane in Travis County, Texas, through the intersection of Howard Lane and IH-35, when another driver ran a red light and crashed into the passenger side of our client’s vehicle. Our client sustained low back, shoulder, neck, and head injuries in the crash. Sandoval & James sucessfully resolved the case after litigation was initiated but without trial.
View More$750,000
Gross Settlement | Commercial Vehicle Accident
Expenses: $13,016.09
Net to Clients: $197,052.20
Our client was injured in a motor vehicle accident where they sustained traumatic brain injury, back injuries, and neck injuries requiring cervical fusion surgery. On the date of the crash, our client was a front-passenger of a vehicle driven by another individual in a residential area, when the Defendant, who was driving a Ford F350 pickup truck with an attached trailer, blindly backed the truck and trailer out of a private drive directly into our client’s path, causing the collision. Sandoval and James successfully resolved the case after mediation, before trial.
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