How Much Money Can a Passenger in a Car Accident Receive?

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.

How Much Money Can A Passenger Expect From A Car Accident?

Two factors influence how much money you can expect to get as a passenger in a car accident.

1. You may be entitled to compensation for all your medical expenses, which could put a dent in your finances, especially if you spent a lot of time in the hospital and have undergone multiple procedures due to your injuries.
2. Your financial losses include the wage you lost due to absence from work when you were in the hospital or at home recovering from your injuries.

These two factors will be evaluated carefully to determine how much compensation you should get as a passenger involved in a car accident.

The average settlement amount for a passenger injured in a car accident can vary based on the severity of the injuries received and overall pain and suffering. 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.

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. This means you are filing a lawsuit against the driver of the other vehicle or the car you occupied.

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. The first thing you have to do is treat your car accident injuries with a medical professional and have all documentation of visits, injuries, and any medical procedures. Records of bills from medical visits, transportation costs, and lost wages are all used for building a case for a higher settlement. The more evidence you have to build your case with your personal injury attorney, the more likely you are to get full compensation.

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.

If you want to have the best chance of getting a settlement and being compensated for your injuries after a car accident, you have to work with a good personal injury lawyer who can do the research and help you prove your claim.