Austin Passenger Accident Attorney Near You

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.

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.

With more people using rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, there are more accidents that result in injuries to passengers.

If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident using a rideshare service, the process is similar to other car accidents. There are several crucial steps to take when you’re involved in a car wreck with an Uber or Lyft vehicle.

Your first priority should always be to check the well-being of all individuals involved in the crash. Next, it’s essential to contact the police. Initiating a police report at this stage can hold significant value in the future, especially if you need to file a car accident passenger claim to cover any injuries sustained.

It’s important to then begin collecting information and capturing images and videos of the scene. Ensure to include the driver’s license, license plate, car insurance details, and contact information of your Uber or Lyft driver.

In addition, photograph any injuries sustained, along with the damage to both your driver’s vehicle and the other involved vehicle. Document images of the other driver’s license plate, driver’s license, and car insurance as well. These visuals could prove crucial if the need to file a passenger in car accident settlement claim arises.

Promptly seek medical attention immediately after the accident, irrespective of whether you feel fine. Injuries might manifest later, and the surge of adrenaline from the accident might temporarily conceal any pain or discomfort. Consulting a medical professional is essential to confirm your well-being and identify any latent injuries.

Lastly, submit a formal report to the rideshare company – here are links on how to do that with Uber or Lyft.

Our rideshare accident lawyers bring our fierce advocacy to bear against rideshare drivers and companies when their negligence or reckless conduct hurts passengers and others.