Injured as a Passenger? How to Receive Compensation Quickly

If you are injured as a passenger, you may find it difficult to collect from the negligent party who caused the accident in some states. If you have only received minor injuries, you will only be able to receive compensation for out-of-pocket expenses. If you are more severely injured, you may still find it difficult to receive full compensation if you don't have the help of an auto accident attorney and if you do not take the right steps. Here are a few principles to understand when suing someone over auto accident injuries. 

1. No-Fault States

In the few no-fault states in the United States, you must purchase a personal injury protection plan. This insurance policy will have a cap and you may only seek compensation for your injuries from a third-party after you have exceeded this cap. 

2. Other States

In other cases, you'll need to file a claim against the insurance provider of either the driver of the car you were injured in or the other party, depending on who was at fault for the accident. In some cases, both parties were negligent and were partially at fault for the accident. At that point, you will want to speak with an auto accident attorney to determine which steps you should take to seek the compensation you deserve.

3. Using Your Insurance

One of the complications you might face is if you are related to the driver. In this case, you may not be able to pursue a claim against the insurance provider because you will be insured under the policy. Instead, you will need to negotiate with your insurer. If your insurer denies your claim, speak with an auto accident attorney regarding the next steps you should take.

If you do take action against a third-party insurance provider, your claims might take some time to process. For this reason, you may need to turn to your health insurance provider to pay for your medical bills. You may have a form of coverage known as "med pay" without even realizing it. The advantage of med pay is that your approval is not based on who is at fault and your payment may be expedited. 

4. Suing a Third-Party Insurance Provider

If a third party has some liability for the accident, you will want to seek compensation from the third party's insurance provider. In almost every state, a driver must carry a minimum amount of auto insurance to cover bodily injury liability and property damage liability. However, your auto accident attorney will need to help you negotiate a great settlement. You may also be forced to sue the driver directly if they are one of the 13% of drivers who do not carry auto insurance.