How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get Settlement For Being A Passenger In A Car Accident

Realistically speaking, a car accident can be a traumatic experience for everyone involved, especially the passengers. Thus, if you’ve been injured as a passenger in a car accident, you may have to deal with plenty of serious consequences, and, as such, you should be entitled to compensation for the damages you’ve sustained.

However, just like other individuals, you may be unaware of the legal processes and other things that can help your situation. On the bright side, you don’t need to worry about your case because personal injury lawyers can help you advocate for your rights and interests.

So, if you’ve been in an accident, keep reading this article to learn how a personal injury lawyer can help you get a settlement for being a passenger in a car accident.

What Is A Passenger Personal Injury Claim?

Primarily, a passenger personal injury claim, which is also known as a third-party passenger claim, is a type of claim wherein the passenger sues the drivers of one or more vehicles that were at fault and caused your injuries. In other words, the passenger isn’t filing a claim against their own insurance company, but they’re filing one against third parties in the following manner:

  • Filing a third-party claim against the policy of the driver of the car you’re riding at the time the accident happened
  • Filing a third-party claim against the driver of the other car involved in the crash

As a passenger who’s been injured in a car accident, you may have the right to institute a claim against the drivers involved.

How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help You Get The Settlement?

As mentioned, hiring a personal injury lawyer can go a long way in seeking compensation against the at-fault party or parties. But, if you want to know the different ways they can help you with your car accident passenger settlement, check these out:

  • They Can Explain Your Rights 

The most important thing a personal injury lawyer can do is explain your rights. They can show you the laws that have been put into effect to protect you. They can be there to explain how the car accident and the different legal issues can affect your rights as an injured passenger as well as other aspects like redkite law as well.

In addition, although personal injury laws differ from one state to another, most personal injury lawyers will tell you that you may have a right to pursue a compensation claim against the driver of the car you’re riding or the driver of another vehicle. Not only that, but they’ll also inform you about the various rules pertaining to the statutes of limitations or the time limit within which you need to file your claim to ensure you’re not barred from asserting your right to recover compensation.

Remember, the better your lawyer explains your rights to you, the more you’ll be encouraged to fight for the settlement you deserve for your injuries.

  • They Can Provide Legal Advice 

Generally, personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve, and this is because they have expert knowledge on various areas, such as car accidents. For instance, a personal injury lawyer can be called a ‘liaison’ between you, the injured person, and the other drivers who caused the injury. They’ll work with you as you present your case to the court, as well as the insurance company.

They’ll also explain all the details of your case to you and give you a fair idea about what to expect from your case. They’ll also advise you on the right way to approach the case, and even guide you through obtaining expert witness support from other professionals. With those being said, it’s important to retain a competent lawyer’s services because they’ll have better chances of winning a better settlement for you.

  • They Can Provide Legal Representation In Court 

Most personal injury cases don’t proceed to trial because the majority of them are being settled before a case is filed in court. However, there are instances wherein the negotiation efforts between you and the insurance company fail due to several reasons.

When this happens, the only remedy to get the settlement you need is to go through a full civil trial. And, since litigation and adherence to some court processes can be complex, you need a lawyer to navigate this process for you. By doing this, you’ll have a better chance of recovering the money to compensate for all your injuries and other damages.

  • They Can Assess Damages Properly 

A personal injury lawyer can examine the damages suffered from a car accident. They’ll know what kind of medical tests are required to determine whether any damage has been caused to your body. They’ll also make use of the physical evidence, which is vital in determining who’s at fault in the accident, as well as in evaluating the damages. The pieces of evidence you can collect can include the police investigation of the accident scene, photographs taken from the scene or the doctor’s office, and witness testimony.

Once you gather all pieces of evidence, a personal injury lawyer will conduct a professional investigation and review all the documentation to determine if there’s enough evidence to assess the damages and move forward with the claim. Remember, by having a lawyer who can assess the real value of damages, you can increase your chances of obtaining a better settlement for being an injured passenger in a car accident.

  • They Can Connect With Professional Medical Providers 

When it comes to getting a settlement for your injuries, it’s important to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer because they can connect with medical providers who can help prove the extent of your injuries caused by other people’s carelessness or negligence. Specifically, they can seek these professionals’ assistance to understand serious injuries and help you calculate the right amount of settlement offer your injuries rightfully deserve.

  • They Can Help You Work Through Several Legal Processes 

Being injured as a passenger in a vehicular accident is never easy, especially if you plan to obtain the best settlement for your injuries. For instance, you need to deal with various judicial forums before you can recover the right amount of compensation for what happened to you. An example of this is the informal negotiation with the insurance company before a full-blown case is filed in court.

In such a case, a personal injury lawyer can help you handle a settlement negotiation with the other party’s insurance company. Given the tactics used by some insurers to reduce or even deny insurance claims, they can make sure your rights and interests are protected from start to finish. They’ll advise you not to negotiate with the insurance company without them on your side to avoid doing anything that can be used against you. For example, you should never allow the insurer to record your statements as anything you say can be taken against you, which, in turn, can affect your chances of receiving a better settlement.

What To Do When You’re Involved In A Car Accident?

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you should know what to do when you’re injured as a passenger. Normally, an injury is a very serious matter and is always important to be taken seriously by following the steps below:

  • Get immediate medical attention to know the severity of your injuries. If you’re filing a personal injury claim, you can use the medical report made by the doctor to support your claim and ensure a good settlement offer.
  • Call the local police and ask them about your injuries, as well as where the accident happened. Be careful to get as many details from the police as possible because you need to prove that the accident occurred and that you’re the victim. This can be done by taking pictures of your injuries, accident scene, and getting the personal information of everyone involved in the crash.
  • You should also immediately contact your insurance company and that of the other drivers to get started with your insurance claims. If you’re injured as a passenger, there are certain things you must take care of to successfully file a claim and hold the at-fault party or parties liable for your injuries.

Final Thoughts

Indeed, getting involved in a car accident as an injured passenger comes with several consequences. Aside from your physical recovery, you also have to think about the emotional and financial impact of the injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. This is one reason you should have a reliable personal injury lawyer on your side to help you with the things mentioned above.

So, if you want to find a good personal injury lawyer, be sure it’s someone you’re comfortable working with. Always keep in mind that a good personal injury lawyer will work hard to make sure that your case is resolved as quickly as possible. If you want to secure the best settlement for your injuries, you should do your research, hire an honest lawyer who’s well-respected and works well with you and your situation.