If you were injured in a car accident due to another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. And it doesn’t matter if you were the driver or passenger, you have a right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other associated expenses if negligence caused you harm.
As a passenger, you are both victim and witness. For this reason, it is important to exchange information with any drivers involved; you may decide to file a personal injury claim, or they may need to contact you for information about their own claim. An experienced League City car accident attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured in any type of collision.
Following a car accident, make sure everyone is safe from immediate danger, including yourself. Call 911, or ask someone for help if you are unable to do so. Take pictures of the accident scene and any visible injuries; these can be valuable evidence if you decide to file an injury claim against the responsible party.
Passenger Perspective
As a passenger and witness to the accident, you may have a slightly different perspective from the drivers. Determining negligence in a motor vehicle accident requires a thorough investigation of the accident and any contributing factors. Did one of the drivers swerve out of control just before the accident occurred? Was your driver or the other driver texting? Did either driver fail to signal before initiating a turn? Were the road conditions bad?
If the driver of the vehicle you were riding in was the negligent one, filing a claim against him/her may be awkward, depending on your relationship. But if your driver’s reckless or negligent actions caused you harm, you are entitled to seek compensation.
Filing a Claim Against Your Driver
Under Texas law, the driver of a motor vehicle must obey all traffic laws, carry adequate insurance, and drive safely. If you are injured as a result of a driver’s negligence—even if it was the driver of the car in which you were a passenger—you can file a personal injury claim. As the passenger, unless you did something to interfere with the driver’s operation of the car, he/she is likely responsible for any injuries you suffered as a result. Claims against someone you know personally can quickly become awkward, contentious, and complicated. Do not attempt to navigate this process without the help of an experienced Texas injury lawyer.
Filing a Claim Against the Other Driver
Although fault must be apportioned between two or more drivers based on the percentage of negligence of each party involved, passengers are entitled to full compensation for any damages suffered. For example, if driver A was 40 percent at fault and driver B was 60 percent at fault, any damages awarded will be based on those percentages. But passengers will be granted 100 percent compensation for eligible damages.
Common Damages for Passengers Involved in League City Car Accidents
The damages a passenger claims depends on the type and severity of injuries suffered, but the most common include: .
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care costs
- Property damage (vehicle, laptop, bicycle mounted on the car)
- Costs for alternative transportation
- Wrongful death
Contact Burwell Nebout Trial Lawyers Today
If you have been injured in a car accident, the skilled legal team at Burwell Nebout Trial Lawyers can help. We offer affordable, efficient, and highly-skilled legal counsel and our injury team has helped countless Texans obtain the compensation they deserve after suffering a personal injury. Call Burwell Nebout Trial Lawyers today at 281-645-5000 for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
