Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Personal injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What should I do if I have been injured by another party but I can’t afford a lawyer?”
It is bad enough being involved in a car accident when you are the driver, but being the passenger in a car accident can be even worse. As the passenger in the car, you are thrust into a situation in which you are dealing with injuries from an accident you did nothing to cause. Who is responsible for paying for the medical bills you now have? Who is responsible? The driver of the car you were in? Or, the driver of the other vehicle? The following are options available to you for injuries sustained as a passenger in a car accident.
The Driver’s Insurance
Usually everyone wants to blame the other driver for causing an accident, but sometimes it is the fault of the driver of the car you are in. In these instances, you are able to file a claim with the driver’s insurance. Of course every insurance policy is different, but most policies include liability coverage. The other drivers insurance may cover medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages up to the limits of the policy. However, there are sometimes different rules and regulations if you are related to the driver of the vehicle.
Filing a claim against the insurance of the driver of the car you are in is not the same as filing a lawsuit. The claim is strictly being filed against the driver’s insurance, not the individual person. Filing a claim against insurance is not suing your friend, family member, or acquaintance. The insurance policy exists to compensate those injured in an accident.
The Other Driver’s Insurance
If the other vehicle involved in the crash is to blame, you may be able to file a claim against their insurance. Similar to filing a claim against the driver of your vehicle’s insurance, the insurance policy may pay for certain damages.
Your Own Insurance
In addition to filing a claim against the either driver’s insurance policy, you may be able to file an insurance claim against your own policy. There may be provisions in your own insurance policy that offer medical coverage. If your insurance policy includes this, it likely will not include damages for pain and suffering, lost income, or other damages not related to medical costs. However, it can still be worth filing a claim to receive compensation for medical bills.
Actions to Take After an Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident as a passenger, you have options available to you. Following a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention and receive the care you need. Keep records of everything regarding your medical bills and treatment, a copy of the police report from the accident, and any other documentation resulting from the accident. Finally, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are here to help you following an accident. We know that recovering from an accident can be difficult, made even more so when you are an innocent passenger to the accident. Contact us today for a consultation and find out what options are available to you to receive the compensation to which you are entitled. Now taking cases throughout the Charlotte region with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and the new location under renovation in Monroe, call us at 704-370-2828 or click here for additional resources.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.valuepenguin.com/car-insurance/what-do-if-you-are-injured-car-accident-passenger
https://www.farmers.com/claims/medical-claims/
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/car-accident-2-1449295
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos
See Our Related Blog Posts:
What Evidence is Necessary After a Car Accident?
How can I Strengthen My Car Accident Claim?