Car accidents have the capacity to hurt everyone involved—that includes the passengers of the vehicle who didn’t cause the collision and had no way of avoiding injury. Passengers might be wondering if they can still recover compensation for their injuries and other damages after a car accident. In short, the answer is yes.
When you’ve been in a car accident, whether the driver or passenger, and the accident wasn’t your fault, then you could recover financial compensation for the costs you’ve incurred. A car accident lawyer from DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC can help you add up what you’re owed and fight for your rights.
Determining Factors for Passenger Compensation
Passengers in the cars involved in accidents can also get injured and suffer from property damage, which is why they can also recover compensation for what they’ve lost. There are a couple different options for passengers to recover damages, and those options depend on what kind of collision they were in.
If the accident involved a single vehicle, then the compensation that a passenger would recover will likely come from the driver of the vehicle. The driver’s insurance could cover the passenger’s damages, but if the passenger feels they did not recover enough or they deserve more in compensation, then they could file a legal claim against the driver.
When taking legal action against the driver of the vehicle, though, it’s important that you can prove they were negligent, and those actions directly caused the accident. If the driver was distracted, speeding, or intoxicated, then you likely have a case.
Otherwise, you might have been in a multiple vehicle accident. When more than one vehicle is involved in the collision that injured you, and another driver was at fault, then that driver’s insurance is likely responsible to cover your damages. If they didn’t have insurance or their insurance offers an amount that you think isn’t fair, then you could use the help of a car accident lawyer to recover compensation for you.
If the driver of your vehicle was partially at fault, then they could also be held responsible for your damages, since West Virginia functions on a comparative fault system. Let’s take a look at what would happen if you were in an accident while you were the passenger in a rideshare.
What If I was In a Rideshare?
Rideshare apps are a common way to get from place to place now, but the drivers are still human and sharing the road with other drivers, so accidents are bound to happen. When you’re on a trip as a passenger in a rideshare and you get into an accident that causes you injuries or other damages, it’s likely that the rideshare company’s insurance would be what covers you.
Most companies have insurance plans that cover up to a million dollars’ worth of damages that are suffered in the accident. Having a lawyer on your side can be helpful to ensure that the insurance company gives you full and fair compensation for your losses. An attorney will also make sure that the accident is fully investigated so that the proper person is held responsible for the collision.
DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC Is Here for You
When you’ve been in a collision as a passenger of a car, you have the right to seek compensation for the injuries and other damages that you suffered at the hand of the negligent driver. While sometimes the process is smooth and insurance companies offer you the proper amount in compensation, other times they can hold out and offer you less than you deserve.
With a car accident lawyer from our firm on our side, you can feel confident in your claim and know that we are fighting to get you the full and fair compensation that you’re owed. Reach out to our office today so we can discuss your potential claim and start fighting for you rights.
