The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be confusing, especially if you were injured. It is important to stay calm. You need to take action to protect yourself and preserve your rights to compensation after a wreck.
Here are some key steps you should take if you were a passenger injured in a car accident in Greenville:
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health is the top priority. Even if you don’t feel immediate pain, some injuries, like whiplash, can take time to show symptoms. Seeing a doctor creates a medical record of your injuries and strengthens any future insurance claim.
2. Report the Accident
Depending on the severity of the accident, the police may or may not be called to the scene. If they are not, it’s important to file a police report yourself. This documentation will be helpful for insurance purposes. You can request a copy of your accident report from the Greenville City Police Department in person or by mail.
3. Document the Scene
Documenting the scene of a car accident with pictures and videos is crucial for several reasons. It creates a detailed record of the accident to strengthen your case when filing a claim with the insurance companies. It may also help to establish fault. Photos can also help refresh your memory later when you are asked what happened.
4. File a Claim with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
Passengers are rarely determined to be at fault for a car accident. You should file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
5. Hire a Car Accident Attorney for Passengers
Personal injury lawyers who represent passengers in car accident cases can help you navigate the complexities of insurance claims and potential lawsuits. They can advise you on the value of your claim and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Passengers’ Rights After a Car Accident
Passengers have the same rights as drivers who are involved in car accidents. However, you may have multiple insurance companies with which you need to file claims. You may be able to file a car accident insurance claim with the driver of the vehicle of which you were a passenger as well as any other vehicles involved in the crash.
Remember, even if your friend or family member was driving the car you were in, you should still consider filing a claim with their insurance company. Your friend or family member will not be the one who pays. They have automobile insurance for situations like this.
Passengers in a car accident generally have the following rights:
Seeking Compensation
You have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses. This applies regardless of whether the driver you were with or another driver caused the accident. As a passenger you are typically considered an innocent third party in an accident and have the right to pursue compensation for damages.
Filing an Insurance Claim
You can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, even if it’s the driver you were riding with. There’s no need to feel uncomfortable about this – car insurance is meant to cover these situations.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
You have the right to deal directly with insurance companies on your own behalf. However, an attorney can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of insurance claims and ensuring a fair settlement. Insurance companies often try to take advantage of passengers who are not represented by an attorney, so you should consider seeking legal advice.
Obtaining Legal Representation
You have the right to legal representation. A Greenville car accident lawyer can represent you in negotiations with insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. Studies have shown that people who work with lawyers typically recover more compensation and are less likely to be taken advantage of by the insurance companies.
Getting a Fair Settlement
Don’t be pressured into accepting a quick settlement offer from the insurance company. Their initial offer is usually a low-ball settlement offer that won’t cover all your losses. It’s important to understand the full extent of your damages before settling. A lawyer can also help you properly evaluate the value of your claim and get a full and fair settlement.
Being Informed
You have the right to be informed about the claims process and your rights throughout it. The insurance companies should keep you up to date about the stage of your insurance claim and what steps you need to take to move it forward. If they delay or improperly deny your claim, you can file a bad faith insurance lawsuit against the company.
Privacy and Respect
You have the right to privacy regarding your medical information and to be treated with respect by insurance companies and legal representatives. Your right to compensation shouldn’t be affected by factors like race, gender, or age.
Greenville Car Accident Attorney Venus Poe Fights for Passengers
It can be confusing to know what to do after a car accident if you were the passenger. You should get medical attention and seek legal advice from a passengers’ rights law firm right away. Attorney Venus Poe is ready to fight for you. She has helped countless clients obtain the compensation they deserve after being injured in a serious car accident in Greenville.
Call today at 864-963-0310 to schedule a free consultation and get started on your passenger car accident case. We have law offices in Greenville and Fountain Inn.