What To Do When You Are A Passenger In A Car Accident

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injuries in Daytona Beach. Even a seemingly minor crash or collision can end up leaving you suffering serious harm. This is true whether you are the driver or a passenger in the vehicle. However, passengers often face greater uncertainty and confusion regarding their rights in filing a claim. The following details some of the steps you should follow to ensure you get the compensation you need to recover.

Passenger Injuries Due To Car Accidents

Passengers are just as likely to suffer serious outcomes in car accidents as drivers. Depending on the type of crash, such as a rollover or a t-bone accident impacting the passenger side, their injuries may be even more severe. According to the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS), close to 25,000 passengers are killed each year in car accidents while hundreds of thousands of others face potentially debilitating personal injuries.

In the majority of cases, passengers are innocent victims. It is generally reckless driving behavior on the part of the person operating the vehicle they are in or other motorists that are to blame. Among the leading causes of passenger car accident injuries include:

• Speeding and going too fast for conditions;
• Running red lights and stop signs;
• Tailgating, failure to yield, and other aggressive driving behaviors;
• Distracted driving, such as using cell phones or texting;
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

As A Passenger In A Car Accident, How Can I Get Compensation For My Injuries?  

Even minor car accidents can leave passengers suffering serious personal injuries that leave them unable to work while requiring ongoing medical care. When the actions of others are responsible, you have the right to hold them accountable in a car accident claim.

The first thing you need to do when you are a passenger in a car accident is to notify police immediately so that an accident report can be filed. Get the names of all drivers involved, as well as their insurance and vehicle registration information. This includes the driver of the vehicle you were traveling in. Get names and contact information for any witnesses at the scene and seek medical care as soon as possible, regardless of the severity of your symptoms.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requires all motorists to maintain a mandatory minimum amount of automobile insurance coverage. Filing an insurance claim against the driver’s policy is generally one of the first steps in seeking compensation. If your claim is denied, the driver is uninsured, or your injuries are severe, you have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit against one or both drivers involved.

Contact Us Today for Help

At Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A., we protect the rights of passengers in car accidents and help them get the compensation they are entitled to in a claim. To request a consultation, contact our Daytona Beach car accident attorneys today.

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