Three Reasons Why A Passenger Involved In An Auto Accident Should Contact An Attorney
You're riding shotgun, maybe listening to Christmas music on the radio, maybe having a pleasant conversation with your friend, who's driving. Then, all of a sudden, crash! You're one of the 2.3 million people injured in traffic accidents each year in the U.S.
Your initial reaction -- as it should be -- is to make sure you and the other occupants of the vehicle are all right. You may even check with the people in the other car to see if they're OK. You may also call the police for help with assessing injuries and damages, and to move or clean up the vehicles as soon as possible.
You may have some injuries, and the last thing you're thinking of is a lawsuit to cover your medical bills, time off work and other expenses. But as soon as you're treated for your injuries, you may wish to contact a car crash attorney, even though you were not the driver. Here's why:
1. Insurance companies can be hard for a passenger to negotiate with.
If you were involved in an accident where both drivers were at least partially at fault, you'll have to work with the insurance companies for both drivers to get a settlement that will pay your bills. That can be challenging if, for example, each insurance company believes its insured driver was only 25 percent responsible for the accident. If each only wants to pay 25 percent of your bills, you'll only have half the money you deserve.
An attorney can work with the insurance companies and navigate the process for you so you don't have to argue with each insurance agent about the case.
2. It's hard to sue a friend or family member.
If you were riding with someone you know well, and that person was fully or partially responsible for the accident, it can be tough to, essentially, sue their insurance company for your settlement. Your loved one may feel at least a little betrayed, even if logically it makes sense what you must do.
Having an attorney involved to communicate officially with all the parties involved gives you a little distance from the negotiation process and can make it easier to manage your relationship with your friend or relative.
3. Multiple passengers can make the case more complicated.
If you were not the only passenger in the vehicle, there may be several cases going on at once for each injured party's settlement. Sometimes this means that there is a limited amount of settlement money available, as the insured driver(s) will only have a set value on their insurance policy. You'll have to negotiate with the other passengers to get the full amount available and divide it equitably.
Again, if these people are close to you, you may not want to engage in what can be somewhat stressful negotiations. Your attorney can manage that process for you so you don't need to directly deal with your fellow passengers about the settlement.
If you have any questions about an accident you were involved in, call your local auto accident attorney for help getting answers.