What Should Passengers in a Car Accident Expect in a Settlement?

Were you traveling as a passenger when your vehicle was suddenly involved in a car accident? You may be concerned about covering your costs and getting through these difficult times.

Holding the liable party accountable will be essential if you hope to maximize the compensation you are awarded. However, passengers may face an uphill battle since multiple parties could be sued for damages. Here is more about what you can expect if you were a passenger in a car accident.

What Happens if You’re a Passenger in a Car Accident?

Passengers involved in car accidents are entitled to compensation for their damages. However, figuring out who is responsible for your accident will be a top priority, as this is the party who should cover your losses.

Although you may not be able to file a claim with your own insurance company, the liable party’s insurer should be obligated to cover certain types and amounts of damages. Your car accident lawyer will review the specific details of your case to determine how to proceed with your insurance and civil claims.

Generally, anything that cannot be recovered through an insurance settlement should be recouped through a civil claim against the at-fault party. With help from your car accident lawyer, you can figure out who is to blame, account for every loss, and fight for the total recovery of your damages.

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

Passengers have the same right to pursue compensation as drivers do when involved in an accident. Due to Ohio’s fault-based insurance laws, you can file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company.

When filing a personal injury claim, you have the right to be compensated fully for every way the accident impacted your life, which includes non-economic damages like physical pain and mental suffering.

Who’s Liable for Your Injuries?

Establishing fault is one of your car accident lawyer’s most important responsibilities. They are tasked with figuring out who should be sued for your damages. Although you might be quick to assume the driver of the vehicle who hit you is responsible for causing the accident, this may not always be the case.

The driver you were traveling with may share liability for the accident and could also be held accountable for your damages. You might need to file a claim with their insurance company or pursue a lawsuit against them if they refuse to cover your losses outright.

If another driver is to blame for the accident, you can pursue legal action against them. Other parties could share fault, such as vehicle parts manufacturers, government agencies, and municipalities.

What Damages Could You Expect to Recover from Your Claim?

Passengers have the same right to pursue both monetary damages and non-monetary damages.

Commonly referred to as economic damages and non-economic damages, here are some of the various losses that could be recovered as part of your car accident claim:

  • Pain and suffering – Pain and suffering damages describe any loss that has had an effect on your life or your emotional state. Loss of consortium, diminished quality of life, emotional distress, and chronic physical pain are just a few examples of pain and suffering losses.
  • Lost income – Lost wages can turn your life upside down soon after the accident. You have the right to be compensated for the time you took off of work, loss of employee benefits, and your loss of potential future earnings if your injuries will prevent you from going back to work or continuing to provide for yourself or your family.
  • Medical expenses – Medical expenses include every single healthcare cost that relates to your car accident injuries. This includes not only your immediate medical fees but any future medical care you might require due to the severity of your car accident injuries.
  • Property damages – If your personal property was damaged in the accident, the liable party might have to compensate you for these losses. This might include diminished value claims or personal items such as a cell phone or other electronic device.

Contact an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer for Help Today

If you were a passenger when you were critically injured in a collision caused by someone else, you have the right to take legal action against the liable party. Your car accident lawyer will carefully evaluate the circumstances of your case to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable for their negligence. This includes the driver of the vehicle you were traveling in, where applicable.

Our team will handle your case delicately so you can preserve your relationship with that driver wherever possible. When you contact an Ohio car accident attorney at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA, learn more about what’s next for your passenger car accident claim. You can reach us by phone at 419-625-7770 or through our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.