Your property may have been damaged, and you may have been injured as well. The good news is that you have several options available to you. It depends on who is at fault in an accident if you can claim on the car insurance policy of the driver and the person you're riding with. Depending on your policy, you may also be able to make a claim.
In addition to being able to deal with your injuries, it is essential to find out what you should do as well as get the right advice. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you fight for your rights and compensation. Let's take a closer look at a few things you need to do if you are injured in a car accident as a passenger.
Filing With Other Driver's Insurance
You can file a claim against another driver's insurance if you are a passenger in a car crash caused by another vehicle. To operate a vehicle, almost all states require drivers to carry car insurance. A minimum amount of coverage is required for two types of coverage:
● Bodily injury (BI) coverage - Covers medical expenses incurred as a result of a bodily injury
● Liability for property damage (PD) - Pays for damage to property, including that of passengers.
When dealing with another driver's insurance, it can be a logistically tricky process. Often, when an accident occurs, it is not clear who is to blame for the accident.
Filing With Driver's Policy
Depending on the circumstances, you can cover your bills through the insurance of the driver of the car you were in. Most people take out personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage (MedPay). "First-party benefits" insurance like PIP and MedPay cover all car passengers. Medical expenses can be paid regardless of who is at fault in an accident with first-party benefits insurance.
You will have to wait for the insurance process of both your friend and the other driver. There is also the option of requesting reimbursement from your driver. They will have to pay a higher one-time expense, but future rate increases could be limited.
Filing With Your Insurance
There is also the option of filing a claim with your insurer, which can be a viable option. When you're a passenger in another car, you can still use your PIP or MedPay policy to pay for your medical bills. PIP and MedPay may not cover a very expensive accident due to their limitations. There should, however, be at least some coverage for any immediate medical bills that may arise.
Your medical costs should also be covered if you have health insurance. You may need to exhaust all your auto insurance benefits first. Insurers can treat this differently, so check with yours first.
Being involved in a car accident is both physically and emotionally traumatizing. Rather than worry about how your bills will be paid if you are injured, follow these steps to get the compensation you deserve.