Injured as a Passenger in Texas: What to Expect

If you were in an accident where you were a passenger in the car and someone else was driving, you may not know your rights. If you have been injured in this collision, it is especially important to understand your rights and know what to do after the fact.

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, we have handled hundreds of car accident cases and can help represent passengers who were also injured in the crash. Our attorneys strive to provide the best legal representation to help you navigate the legal complexities after being injured in a car accident.

Keep reading to find out what you should do after a car accident and how to file a claim as an injured passenger.

What to Do After a Car Accident

If you were a passenger in a vehicle involved in a collision, this can complicate the legal process. Since you weren’t the driver, how you proceed after the fact is going to look a bit different if you believe you qualify for compensation.

Here is a breakdown of the step-by-step process to take after being involved in a car accident as a passenger.

Report the Accident

With multiple people being involved in a car accident, not everyone has to call 911. You should only call 911 to report the accident if you do not believe anyone else has taken this step. The 911 operator will direct police to the accident location as well as an ambulance if necessary.

Get Medical Care

Car accidents tend to cause a variety of injuries, no matter how serious the accident is. If you are a passenger and are injured in the crash, you will need to seek medical care directly after the fact.

Getting medical care is incredibly important to ensure you are not seriously injured. Some car accident injuries do not have any visible signs and may not show symptoms for hours or even days after the fact. That is why you should get checked out just to be on the safe side.

Getting medical care is also crucial in terms of documenting any injuries after the accident. Things like medical reports, doctor’s notes, and medical bills will help you get compensation later on by proving the extent of your injuries.

Exchange Information

Even though you aren’t the driver in the collision, exchanging information with the involved parties is still a good idea. If you decide to file a claim for personal injuries, you will need this information.

If you were injured and had to be transported to get medical care, you can always access this information from the police reports.

Document Evidence

If you are physically able to, it is a good idea to document evidence at the scene of the collision. This includes evidence such as:

• Photographs of injuries
• Photographs of property damage
• Witness contact information

You can also look around to see if there are any cameras that could have captured the accident. Witnesses may also have dash cam footage that your auto accident attorney could get access to later on.

File an Insurance Claim

Because Texas uses the at-fault system, you will have to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The at-fault party will be liable for damages, which can compensate you for physical injuries.

Keep in mind that you should file a claim as soon as you can and provide evidence to back up any damages you want compensation for.

Passengers could qualify for lost wages, property damages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. These damages can include current damages as well as future damages like reduced earning potential and medical expenses.

Hire an Attorney

Getting compensation as a passenger in a car accident comes with certain legalities that can be hard to navigate on your own. Because of this, it is a good idea to hire a car accident attorney who can represent you.

An attorney can negotiate a settlement amount, collect evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and take your claim to court if necessary. A personal injury attorney will also protect your rights as a passenger so that you get the full compensation amount you are entitled to.

How Can Passengers Get Compensation?

For you to get compensation after a car accident where you were a passenger, somebody has to be found liable. The at-fault party will be the one who has to provide compensation for passengers and the other driver.

Because of the laws in Texas, all of the drivers involved could technically be at fault. For instance, both drivers may be found to be 50% at fault, so they would both be liable.

As a passenger who was injured, you can file a claim or a lawsuit against any of the involved parties. If multiple drivers were at fault, you could file a claim against each driver depending on the degree of damage done.

If the person who was driving the vehicle you were in had personal injury protection, this is a no-fault insurance that could help to cover your medical bills and lost wages if you were injured in the accident. This applies no matter who is found to be at fault for the crash.

On the other hand, if the driver has uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, this can still help to cover things like medical expenses and property damage. However, you will have to prove that the other driver was the one at fault and not the driver of the car you were in.

Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience representing victims of car collisions. We strive to provide legal assistance and support to help you navigate this process to get the compensation you deserve. Our auto accident attorneys can help you understand your rights as a passenger, negotiate a settlement, and provide evidence in your favor.

Have you been injured in a car accident where you weren’t the driver? Call our Houston office today at (832) 745-4878 to speak with one of our attorneys.