What Should Injured Passengers Do After A Car Accident?

A passenger in a car has little control over what happens on the road if another person is behind the wheel. Sadly, many passengers are injured in car accidents caused by negligent drivers. These injured passengers have a right to recover compensation from the at-fault parties, but many do not know how to initiate this process. If you have been injured while someone else was driving, here’s what you should do after a car accident:

Seek Medical Attention
If you are seriously injured, call 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance so you can be transported to a hospital for treatment. If your injuries are not severe, be sure to visit a doctor after leaving the scene of the accident so all of your injuries are documented.

Gather Evidence
Injured passengers that are able to stay at the scene of the accident should use this time wisely by gathering evidence. In order to recover compensation, you will need to be able to prove which driver was at fault for the accident. This is much easier to do when you have evidence from the scene of the accident, such as photos and witness statements. Ask witnesses for their contact information and take as many photos as possible of the cars, property damage, and traffic signals in the area. Don’t forget to also exchange information with all of the drivers involved in the accident.

Contact An Attorney
Filing a personal injury claim to recover compensation is not an easy process. Plus, it can be even more stressful if you are trying to deal with an insurance company as you recover from your injuries. For this reason, it’s best to get in touch with a personal injury attorney and let him handle the case. Do this as soon as possible so he can advise you on what you should be doing to strengthen your case.

Settle With the Insurance Company
Your attorney will review the details of your case to determine which driver was liable for the accident. Then, he will contact the at-fault party’s insurance company to discuss a settlement. If both drivers were at fault, claims will be filed with both insurance companies. Just like drivers, passengers are entitled to recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It may take months to settle with the insurance company, so be patient and let your attorney fight to recover what you deserve.

Were you injured as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle? If so, a personal injury attorney can help. James Rush at Rush Injury Law will immediately begin reviewing the case to identify the liable parties. Then, he will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our office by calling 415-897-4801 or filling out the online form on our website www.rushinjurylaw.com to request a free consultation.