Are Passengers Covered By Car Insurance?

If you have a vehicle, you likely know that your auto insurance policy will help cover any injuries you sustain during a car crash. You may also know that this coverage extends to other members of your household (such as your spouse and children), even if they are unlicensed.

But what about other people who may hitch a ride with you from time to time? Are passengers covered by car insurance?

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Are Passengers Covered By Car Insurance?

In most cases, the answer is yes.

If you get into an accident as a passenger, the driver’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy—which is required for all Florida drivers—not only covers them, it covers their passengers as well.

However, Florida only requires that drivers carry a minimum of $10,000 of PIP coverage per person. The more severe the accident is, the greater the odds that they will exceed this amount. How do you get the compensation you deserve if the policy isn’t enough?

The good news is that Florida—despite being a No Fault state—does allow accident victims to pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If the driver of the vehicle you were in is not at fault for the accident, you may make a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy under bodily injury liability.

In some instances, you can pursue a personal injury claim in court against one or both of the drivers involved in the crash.

What Should You Do If You’re a Passenger Injured in a Car Accident?

Being in a car accident is always a jarring experience, even if you walk away without a scratch. But if you’re the unfortunate passenger who ends up injured, it can feel like a whole new level of nightmare.

Suddenly, you’re dealing with pain, medical expenses, insurance claims, and maybe even lost wages from being unable to work. It’s a lot to handle, but fortunately there are some things you can do to make the process a little bit easier.

The first and most important thing to do after a car accident is to collect as much information from the other drivers as possible. This includes their insurance information, contact information, and details about the accident.

If possible, you should also get a copy of the accident report. This will be helpful when you start the insurance claims process.

Depending on your state’s laws, you may be able to file a claim through your own insurance company. However, if you believe that one of the other drivers was at fault for the accident, you’ll want to file a claim with their insurance company instead.

This can be a bit more complex, but it’s important if you want to get full compensation for your injuries.

Are Passengers In Rideshare Accidents Covered?

Riding along in a rideshare has just as many risks as driving around in your own vehicle. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen.

The good news is that passengers who are injured in a rideshare accident should be covered to an extent. The bad news is that the insurance coverage isn’t always straightforward.

An attorney might be needed in order to help make sure you and any other passengers get the help you need.

What Should You Do If a Passenger Is Injured In Your Car?

For many of us, our car is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s our home away from home. And, just like at home, you want to ensure your guests are always comfortable and safe. So, what should you do if a passenger is injured in your car?

First of all, don’t panic. You aren’t responsible for filing claims on behalf of the passenger. Still, you’ll want to be sure your insurance covers enough in case the passenger is injured and you are at fault. The passenger can claim you were negligent, resulting in you being on the hook for a higher percentage of their bills.

In Florida, most drivers only carry the bare minimum of PIP coverage—$10,000 per person. As medical bills pile up, you will likely find that this coverage is insufficient. Therefore, you’ll want to evaluate how much liability coverage you need based on how often you drive passengers (who are not resident relatives) in your car.

If you regularly transport people for Uber or Lyft, for example, you’ll need more coverage than if you only occasionally give your friends a ride to the movies. In fact, most personal policies will not cover you when operating your vehicle for ridesharing purposes. So, you will need to be certain that your employer is covering you while you have any rideshare passengers.

After all, being a responsible driver is about more than just driving safely from point A to point B. It also entails making sure your passengers are always taken care of.

So, if you find yourself in the awful situation of an injured passenger in your car, stay calm, follow these steps and make sure that everyone receives the assistance they require.

What About Other Possible Coverage?

If you personally were injured as a passenger and your driver was not at fault, you still may be eligible for underinsured motorist coverage from the vehicle you were occupying.

This is usually primary underinsured motorist coverage above any of your own underinsured motorist coverage. You will want an experienced attorney to look into all of the possible coverages available to you as a passenger.

Call Beers & Gordon Today If You Were Injured As a Passenger

If you personally were injured as a passenger in an accident, or if someone who was riding in your car files a claim on your insurance, call the car accident lawyers at Beers & Gordon today. Don’t try to go through this difficult situation alone; contact us for help.

We have extensive experience dealing with accident claims and can answer any questions you may have about the process. We have handled thousands of personal injury claims and have over 70 years of combined experience.

So put our experienced car accident attorneys and expertise to work for you. Call us today; we’re here to help.