A passenger in a vehicle is just as susceptible to injury in an accident as the driver is.
Every time you get into a car, there is the potential that you can be involved in a car accident regardless of whether you are in the driver’s or passenger seat.
California is an at-fault state, and that means that when a collision occurs, someone must be found responsible and made liable for paying for any injuries or damage. But what does that mean for passengers? Does it matter if your driver was at fault or not?
If you are involved a vehicle accident and are a passenger, then you have the same rights as the driver to be awarded financial and other damages. Regardless who was at fault for the accident, the passengers injuries are covered. Even if the driver of your vehicle was negligent, you still are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.
Car Accident Passengers Rights
“Negligence” means that either a driver did something that directly caused the accident or that they failed to take action, and it was that failure to act that led to the collision itself. If you are a passenger, the driver being negligent has no relevance on your compensation. That certainly does not mean, however, that if you are in an accident, that you don’t need to consult a Sacramento car accident attorney to be safe.
Just like the drivers of the car, the passenger will have to deal with the insurance company as well. The disappointing reality is that the job of the insurance company is not to make sure that everyone who is injured receives all that they are entitled to. Just like any other business, insurance companies are about making money, and will try to reduce the amount of payout to protect the interests of shareholders. But as a passenger, your claim may be much easier to negotiate. Since it makes no difference who was at fault, your claim should be simpler than for the drivers who are involved.
The insurance company will calculate a settlement offer so that the case doesn’t have to go to trial, which will likely be far more expensive than a settlement. Generally speaking, a settlement is the best way to deal with a car accident. But there are times when an insurance company will not pay what they are required, and you might have to escalate the claim. It is best always to have a qualified and experienced car accident attorney battle with the insurance company for you. The first offer is almost always negotiable, and if you don’t know what you are entitled to by consulting a Sacramento car accident attorney, then there is no way you can be sure if you are getting the full amount of compensation that you deserve.
If you are the passenger of a car and injured in a car accident, it is crucial that you talk to an experienced, Sacramento-based car accident attorney to know what damages you are entitled to and to make certain that you are getting all of the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney
If you were a passenger in someone else’s car and were injured in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Zappettini and Bradley by phone at 916-457-5022, or fill out our online contact form. We understand that monetary compensation can never return a person’s health or erase the lasting effects of a personal injury. However, it can alleviate many of the day-to-day problems confronted by the victim and their family.
