What Happens When You’re Injured as a Passenger in a Crash?

You’re out for a relaxing drive, headed to work, or running errands—and then it happens. Although the person driving the car you’re in is a careful and experienced driver, they get hit by another driver. Not only are you worried about your friend, but you are also injured. While your friend has their auto insurance company to represent them as they seek compensation, you may wonder what you’re supposed to do about your medical bills and other expenses.

The team at Bailey Javins & Carter is here to help. We know that being injured as a passenger in a crash can make you feel like you have no options for compensation. Call us at 678-981-5370 to set up a free initial consultation, where we’ll talk about your options and next steps.

Seeking Medical Care

Your top priority after a, accident should be seeking medical care. Many passengers skip this step, knowing that medical care after a crash can be very expensive and not knowing who is going to pay for it. But you have to put that aside. Some car accidents cause severe or even fatal injuries, and detecting serious injuries is key to getting them treated in a timely manner.

Remember, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the liable party. Throughout your treatment, keep copies of every document you receive and provide copies to your attorney.

Your Right to Compensation

It doesn’t matter that you were “just a passenger” when you were injured. When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, you can seek compensation from them with a personal injury claim. The best way to do this is to work with your own attorney. While the driver of the vehicle may have their own lawyer for their injuries and property damage, you need someone who is committed to getting you the fair and full compensation you deserve.

Your Next Steps

Time is limited after a truck accident. Many types of evidence have a limited lifespan, including the scene of the crash itself, eyewitness testimony, and physical proof of your injuries. Making the most of the time immediately after a crash can help you fight for the compensation you’re owed. Some steps to take include:

• Call 911. Some passenger vehicle crashes can sometimes be reported via the non-emergency line, but that isn’t the case for all collisions, especially with commercial trucks. The damage in these crashes is so substantial that you must call emergency services.
• Report any injuries that you, the driver, or other passengers have. When you’re on the phone with the 911 operator, tell them about any injuries sustained by anyone in the vehicle with you. While they’ll likely send an ambulance anyway to be safe, an accurate injury report can tell them exactly what type of medical support they need to send.
• Talk to eyewitnesses. Not only do crashes often slow down or stop traffic, but they are also generally witnessed by many other drivers. If anyone stops to help or tell you what they saw, make sure you get their contact information.
• Take pictures and video footage. If you wait until later to get evidence of the crash, it will be cleaned up like nothing ever happened there. This is likely your only chance to get photos and videos of the crash scene.
  Write down everything you remember. Once you get a moment, write down exactly what you experienced before, during, and after the accident. These details will pass with time, but they may be important for your claim.
• Get checked out by a medical professional. This is non-negotiable. A local hospital or urgent care center is a safe bet.
• Talk to a personal injury attorney right away. You don’t want your injuries and expenses to fall by the wayside as the driver seeks compensation. Bring your own attorney into the fold so your best interests are represented.

Choose Bailey Javins & Carter for Your Accident Claim

Have you been hurt as a passenger in a crash? Don’t wait any longer to find out if you’re entitled to compensation. The sooner you get our legal team involved, the sooner we can go to work to preserve critical evidence, such as a truck’s event data recorder that shows vital information such as the speed and braking distance. We will also need to get an accident reconstructionist to the scene to inspect the scene and perform an analysis of the crash.

Contact Bailey Javins & Carter online or call us at 678-981-5370 to start your accident claim today.