You should report the crash if you’re a passenger in a car accident in California. You should also seek medical care for any injuries you sustain, write down what happened, collect evidence if possible, and reach out to a Los Angeles passenger injuries car accident lawyer.
Taking these steps after a crash can help you secure compensation to cover your losses as a passenger in a car crash. An attorney can provide more detailed information about what you should do to build a solid claim.
What You Should Do if You’re a Passenger in a Car Accident
Passengers injured in car accidents in California should:
Notify the Police
You should report any crash that results in property damage, injuries, or death to local law enforcement. The police can visit the scene of your crash, review the situation, take statements, and file an official report.
A Los Angeles car accident lawyer may need to draw on the information in the police report to build a claim to bring you compensation.
Get Medical Treatment
You may sustain catastrophic injuries as a passenger in a car crash. Many passengers need treatment for broken bones, concussions, whiplash, or internal injuries. Getting treatment immediately can connect your injuries to the crash, making it easier for you to secure compensation for any healthcare bills you face.
Collect Evidence
The professionals strongly encourage you to gather evidence from the accident scene if your injuries allow you to take this step. You may:
- Get contact information from the driver of your vehicle and all witnesses
- Take pictures of your injuries and the location of all vehicles
- Make a written record of what happened
Your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can use these pieces of information to strengthen your claim.
Talk to an Attorney
Finally, you should reach out to a local law firm for help after a crash. Your lawyer can guide you through the legal process and answer questions like, “What should I do if I’m a passenger in a car accident?”
Your attorney can also handle conversations with the insurance company and the liable party. You can rely on a lawyer to go over all the options you have available to secure compensation as a passenger, including an insurance settlement or personal injury lawsuit.
What Compensation Can You Get as a Passenger in a Car Accident?
You may receive compensation to cover any economic and non-economic losses you sustain as a passenger injured in a car accident. Depending on your circumstances, you may get money for your:
Medical Bills
The party responsible for your injuries may need to pay for your emergency treatment, medications, medical tests, medical procedures, and physical therapy. Your attorney can track all of your healthcare bills.
Lost Wages
You have a chance to secure money to cover the pay you lose while recovering from injuries sustained as a passenger in a car crash. You may also get money for your reduced earning potential if the accident causes you a disability.
Pain and Emotional Suffering
The party responsible for the crash may need to pay for any non-economic consequences you experience. For example, you may get money to cover the emotional distress, pain, and mental anguish you experience after an accident.
(310) 526-8383Do You Need to File a Lawsuit as a Passenger in a Car Accident?
You may secure compensation to cover your losses without filing a personal injury lawsuit in some cases. Instead, your lawyer may focus on negotiating a settlement with the insurance company that represents the liable party.
Accepting an insurance settlement may allow you to secure compensation for your losses more quickly than going through the court system. However, insurance companies sometimes refuse to provide fair compensation for passengers who sustain injuries in motor vehicle accidents.
Therefore, you should allow your lawyer to review these offers before you accept them.
Deadlines to File a Claim as a Car Accident Passenger
You have to file a claim before the statute of limitations runs out as an injured car accident passenger. Generally, California gives you only two years to seek compensation to cover your losses.
Fortunately, you can reach out to a personal injury law firm for help immediately after a collision. Your lawyer can give you advice about your next steps, take charge of all legal matters on your behalf, and provide information about your specific deadlines.
Find Out What to Do as a Passenger in a Car Crash
Are you wondering what you should do if you’re a passenger in a car accident? Our professional team at Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys can walk you through each step of the legal process and provide the compassionate assistance you need.
We’re ready to represent your best interests as we draw on our decades of combined experience. Find out more by calling or filling out our online contact form.
