Auto Accidents from the Passenger’s Perspective

When automobile accidents occur, they make news if there are serious injuries and major property damage. Most of the talk centers around the drivers of the vehicles, but particularly the driver who is accused of causing the accident. People shake their heads in sympathy for the passengers that were involved and little more thought is given to the crash.

What about those passengers? While it is true that the driver of a vehicle is often injured in serious crashes, so are the passengers. Attention is given to how a driver will be able to pay for medical care, and car insurance is often discussed as providing coverage for these victims. That said, passengers are often injured and are certainly susceptible to serious injury. How are these people protected?

It’s important to know that passengers have right as well. When a passenger is injured in a vehicle collision, the first thing they should do is seek medical care. This includes medical care for injuries that are immediately apparent and those that do not show up for days or weeks after the crash. Even if there are no injuries immediately sustained, it is often in a passenger’s best interests to seek a medical evaluation after surviving a car accident.

After a passenger seeks medical attention, they should obtain the contact information for any other people involved in the accident. Names and contact information should be written down or saved in a cell phone in case they are needed in the future. The injured passenger may also want to take photos of the accident scene, any property damage and the road conditions. These photos could prove beneficial later.

If a passenger does seek medical care, all receipts for that care should be kept. That includes receipts for doctor visits, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications that are purchased. Receipts will be useful in court to help determine the amount of compensation that should be awarded.

When it comes to what not to do after an accident, an injured passenger should refrain from confronting the person found to be at fault for the accident. This can make things more complicated. The injured passenger should also not refrain from seeking medical treatment for fear of not being able to afford it. In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy will cover these medical bills. In the worst cases, the injured passenger could be compensated as the result of a lawsuit.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Charlotte, you have rights, even if you weren’t driving either of the vehicles. You are as able to be compensated for your injuries as a driver, do not hesitate to call our office to speak with a member of our team. We will help you schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation. We will review the details of your accident and advise you of the options available to you under current state law. Reach out to our team today or browse our website for more information about our firm.