Are Passengers in Car Accidents Covered By Insurance?

You know what to do after an accident.

But what should passengers in car accidents do?

When you are involved in a car accident, one of the first things that come to mind is probably insurance. Who is going to cover the damages?

While many questions arise after an accident, one of the most common is whether or not passengers are covered.

To make it short, if you are injured in a car accident as a passenger, you are usually covered by the driver’s insurance policy under their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) plan. Most states require some liability coverage for passengers. For example, Florida requires at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on car insurance policies.

If the driver 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.

But how should you protect yourself if you’re injured as a passenger? Or what if a passenger in your car is injured, whether you were the driver or not?

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, hospital bills, 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 also 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 dealing with insurance claims.

Depending on your state’s laws, you may be able to file a claim through your own insurance company as part of the no-fault laws. 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 an Uber accident or a Lyft 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 as the driver was negligent, resulting in you being on the hook for more of their bills.

As medical bills can quickly pile up, the basic coverage required in many states is insufficient.  In Florida, there is only $10,000 in PIP coverage available for medical treatment. 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 ride sharing 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 attorneys 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.