Your Rights as a Passenger in a Car Accident

Getting hurt while riding in someone else’s car can make you feel uniquely helpless. You didn’t cause it, so do you have passenger rights after a car accident in Alabama? You do, and you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Steps to Take After Being Injured as a Passenger in a Car Crash

Whether you were riding in a friend’s or family member’s car or were injured as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle, the following are some key steps you’ll want to take right away to protect yourself:

• Call 911 to report the accident.
• If you’re able, take pictures and videos of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries.
• Avoid voicing any opinions about what caused the crash. Stick to the basic facts.
• Don’t say you’re okay, even if you feel unhurt in the moment. Seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
• Contact an experienced Alabama car accident lawyer right away to discuss your legal rights and options.

What Are Your Rights as a Passenger in a Car Accident?

As an injured passenger, you have the right to seek medical care, document your injuries, and ask questions about who may be responsible for the crash. You also have the right to protect your own interests, even if the at-fault driver was someone you know. You’re not automatically blamed for a wreck simply because you were in the vehicle of the responsible driver. Your role is different from theirs.

Can You File a Claim as an Injured Passenger?

Yes. You have rights if you were injured as a passenger or are disabled and suffered further injuries as a passenger, and you can file a claim against the driver who caused the crash. That could be the driver of the vehicle you were riding in, another driver, or, in some cases, more than one party. You can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses tied to your injuries.

How Passenger Claims Are Different from Driver Claims

Whereas driver claims tend to focus on proving what the driver did or did not do in the moments leading up to a crash, passenger claims focus on determining which driver caused the collision. Passengers don’t control the vehicles they’re riding in and, except in very rare circumstances, have nothing to do with causing accidents.

That said, passenger claims after a car accident can be uniquely sensitive if you were riding in the car of someone you know and love. Keep in mind that if you file a claim against the driver whose car you were riding in, any compensation will come from their insurance company. You won’t be causing them financial strain.

Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer About Your Passenger Rights

Unsure of what to do after being hurt as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle? The Alabama car accident lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC, can help you understand your rights and explain your possible next steps. Contact our office 24/7 to arrange a free, no-obligation, fully confidential initial consultation.