Passengers involved in car accidents face an added element of helplessness and may be wondering, “How much money can a passenger in a car accident get?”. Not only are they at the mercy of the person operating the car, but they are also often left uncertain about their eligibility for compensation.
The simple answer is yes; you can file a personal injury claim if you were the passenger involved in a car accident. To understand more about filing and potential compensation, read on.
And please remember that after a car accident, your health should be your highest priority. If you are injured or suspect you may be injured, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Whether you plan to file a claim or not, you should save all medical documents and speak to a car accident lawyer as soon as you can.
Can A Passenger Receive Compensation For a Car Accident?
As a passenger, you are entitled to compensation for injuries and financial losses caused by a car accident. You have the same right to file a claim as the driver of each vehicle. You will need to file a separate personal injury claim with the driver’s insurance company that caused the accident.
How Insurance Coverage Works For Passengers
In many states, your compensation as a passenger depends on a mix of personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments coverage (MedPay), liability coverage, and sometimes even third-party policies.
In Florida and New York, both no-fault states, PIP generally kicks in first—regardless of who caused the accident. This means the car you were riding in should cover your initial medical costs (up to $10,000 in Florida and up to $50,000 in New York). After that, if your injuries are serious enough to meet the “serious injury” threshold, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
In Texas and Tennessee, which follow at-fault insurance rules, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may also be covered by MedPay, if the driver of your vehicle carries it—this can help pay medical bills regardless of fault. Keep in mind that Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, so if more than one driver shares blame, the payout may be divided accordingly—and passengers may need to file claims with multiple insurers.
No matter which state you’re in, there might also be third-party coverage involved—like if a commercial vehicle or rideshare was part of the accident. In these cases, separate policies often apply with higher coverage limits.
Can You Still Get Compensation if You Were in an Uber or Lyft?
If you were injured as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, you’re typically covered under the rideshare company’s insurance policy. Both Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in liability coverage for accidents that happen while a ride is in progress. If the rideshare driver was at fault, that policy should cover your injuries. If another driver caused the crash, you may need to file a claim against that driver’s insurance. And if neither driver has enough coverage, Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help bridge the gap.
What If Multiple Passengers Were Injured?
When multiple passengers are injured in the same crash, each person can file a separate claim—but the available insurance coverage may be shared among all victims. This can create limits, especially if the at-fault driver only carries the minimum required liability insurance. In some cases, victims may need to pursue compensation through additional policies, like the driver’s umbrella insurance or their own MedPay or UM/UIM coverage. If the crash involves a commercial vehicle or multiple at-fault parties, a personal injury attorney can help navigate multiple claims to make sure no one is left out.
What If the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, you still have options—but the process can get more complex. In this situation, your best bet is to file a claim under uninsured motorist coverage (UM), which may be available through the driver of the vehicle you were riding in or even through your own auto policy, if you have one. In Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and New York, UM coverage isn’t mandatory, but many drivers carry it for exactly this reason. It helps cover medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering when the at-fault party can’t pay.
If no UM coverage is available, you may need to explore a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver—but keep in mind that collecting from an uninsured individual can be difficult if they lack assets. That’s why working with a personal injury attorney is so important—they’ll help you identify all available insurance policies and advise you on the best path to recover what you’re owed.
How Much Money Can A Passenger Expect From A Car Accident?
Several factors influence how much money you may receive as a passenger injured in a car accident—and it goes far beyond just hospital bills.
You may be entitled to full compensation for your medical expenses, including emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future treatment you’ll need. For many injured passengers, this also includes out-of-pocket costs like transportation to appointments or specialized rehab services that aren’t covered by insurance.
If your injuries forced you to miss work, you can claim lost wages, and in more serious cases, loss of future earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your job in the same way. Beyond the financial hit, many passengers also suffer emotional distress—anxiety, PTSD, sleep disorders, or even fear of getting into a car again. These non-economic damages are known as pain and suffering and can significantly increase the value of your claim.
The average settlement amount for a passenger injured in a car accident depends heavily on:
- Severity of your injuries
- Duration of recovery
- Impact on your daily life and work
- The total available insurance coverage
- Whether one or multiple parties were at fault
- Strength of medical and legal documentation
In cases where injuries were minor, a passenger might receive up to $3,000 from a claim, however, in serious car accidents where more severe damages, passengers may receive up to $1 million for pain and suffering.
Filing a Claim Against a Family Member or Friend
Suppose a family member or friend was driving the car at the time of the accident, and you suffered injuries as a passenger. In that case, your claim becomes a little more emotionally complicated.
The relationship dynamic may make the injury claim slightly more personal. If your family member or friend is at fault, you may have to file against their insurance.
For the most part, the driver’s insurance covers them in case of an accident, and if they were at fault, their insurance rates would increase regardless of your claim. So it’s worth speaking to a car lawyer for more guidance.
How Can You File For a Personal Injury Claim?
To file a claim as a passenger involved in a car accident, you may need the help of a personal injury attorney, who will put together your claim and collect all the necessary evidence to support it. Several factors could contribute to a car accident, including:
- Driver Negligence. Based on negligence, the driver of the other car or the vehicle you were in at the time of the accident can be held responsible for the accident.
- Vehicle Owner. The driver of the vehicle is not always the owner of the car. In some cases, you may file a claim against the owner of the car.
- Mechanical failure. One or more parts of the vehicle failed to function correctly, causing the car accident. In this case, you can sue the manufacturer of the car or the manufacturer of the part. If the failure occurred due to improper mechanical repair, the mechanic could also share liability for the accident.
- Employer’s errors. This is applicable to vehicles used for commercial purposes. The driver will take total liability for the accident, but the employer could also share liability under certain circumstances. For example, if the employer forced the driver to drive even in unsafe conditions or the driver has already spent more than the allowed number of hours behind the wheel (specifically in long-distance transport), the employer could be held responsible as well.
When filing for a claim, it is important to gather all required evidence in order to receive full compensation and follow the deadline on filing a claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim as a Passenger?
The deadline to file a personal injury claim, also known as the statute of limitations, varies depending on the state where the accident happened. In Florida and Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Tennessee also follows a one-year deadline, which is among the shortest in the country. In contrast, New York allows three years to file a claim for personal injury.
However, certain situations—like claims involving government vehicles, minor children, or delayed discovery of injuries—may have different deadlines. Missing your window could mean giving up your right to recover any compensation at all. That’s why it’s crucial to speak with a car accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash.
What Evidence Helps Maximize a Passenger Claim?
The strength of your evidence can make or break your claim. The more detailed and organized your documentation is, the stronger your case for full compensation. Important pieces of evidence include:
- Medical records detailing your injuries, treatment plan, and recovery timeline
- Bills and receipts for hospital visits, rehab, medication, and out-of-pocket expenses
- Pay stubs or employer letters to show lost income
- Photos or videos of your injuries, the accident scene, or damage to the vehicle
- Witness statements from people at the scene or other passengers
- Police reports and insurance exchange documents
- Journal entries that describe your daily pain levels, mental health struggles, or disruptions to your lifestyle.
Working with a personal injury attorney can help you gather and organize this evidence so that your claim reflects the full impact of the accident on your life—not just what’s visible on a bill.
Every passenger injury case is unique, and the value of your claim depends on a mix of medical, legal, and insurance-related factors. The more complete your documentation and the clearer the impact of the injury, the stronger your position will be during settlement negotiations.
At, Steinger, Greene & Feiner, Florida-based personal injury law firm, our car accident attorneys are here to help you navigate every step of the claims process. With deep expertise in passenger injury cases, we know how to build strong claims, deal with tough insurers, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
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