Car Accident Injury Claim Involving a Passenger

A car accident injury claim involving a passenger may be filed with the driver of the vehicle in which the passenger was traveling or the driver of another car involved on the accident, depending on who is responsible for the collision and resultant injuries. D.J. Banovitz, a Colorado auto accident lawyer in Denver, can help determine liability based on the circumstances.

Filing a Car Accident Injury Claim Involving a Passenger

Let’s say you were injured when the driver of the car you were in lost control on Interstate 70 and struck an object. A single vehicle crash will more than likely lead to you filing a claim against the driver’s insurance. But if you were injured when another vehicle ran a red light, causing an intersection accident, you may file a claim against the other driver.

In some cases, you might be able to file a claim against the driver of the car you were in and another driver. However, the total amount collected from both can’t be higher than the value of your claim.

So if you are entitled to $25,000 in compensation, the combined amount recovered between both drivers couldn’t exceed this amount. Medical payments coverage supplied by auto insurance companies is usually dispensed in $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 amounts.

If you have medical payments coverage under your own car insurance policy, you may use this to pay for medical costs incurred after the accident. Your health insurance can help pay these costs as well.

This can help avoid a financial burden created by medical bills that can start piling up shortly after the collision. But this coverage does not provide compensation for other damages, which may be recoverable by filing a claim against one of the drivers.

Damages Stemming from a Passenger Car Accident Injury

The following are some of the types of damages that may be recoverable if you were injured as a passenger:

• current/future medical costs (emergency services, hospital, doctor visits, medication);
• current/future lost income (or earning potential if deemed disabled);
• pain and suffering;
• disfigurement;
• reduced quality of life; and
• permanent disability.

The amount of compensation will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries. You may also be entitled to compensation that addresses psychological damage from a serious accident such as mental anguish or emotional distress. Be sure to go over the full list of damages you have experienced with your attorney so that you can fully recover any expenses, losses, or non-economical damages.

Seeking Help from Colorado Auto Accident Lawyers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2010 there were 448 traffic fatalities in Colorado. Of the 448 fatalities, 306 were occupants of passenger vehicles.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a traffic accident, contact auto accident lawyer D.J. Banovitz in Colorado at 303-300-5060 to discuss your legal rights and the necessary procedures. He will determine if you have a viable car accident injury claim and help handle the filing and settlement process.