Person putting seatbelt on

Can You File a Claim If You’re the Passenger in a Car Accident?

If you have just been in a car accident, whether you were the driver or the passenger, you are likely under enormous stress and are not sure where to turn next. If you were in a vehicle accident through no fault of your own, you are a victim and may be entitled to monetary compensation. 

It is essential to reach out to professional legal aid — preferably an attorney who specializes in personal injury claims — so that you can feel secure in having all of the knowledge and expertise you need on your side to achieve the best possible outcome. 

What kinds of damages can you seek compensation for after a car accident?

If you have been in a car accident, you can and should seek compensation for your damages. There are two primary kinds of damages after a car accident:  compensatory and punitive. 

Compensatory damages are supposed to make the plaintiff whole by providing them with money that will allow them to repair their damage to whatever extent is possible. These damages are defined as the monetary amount that the law declares compensates a victim for a breach or violation. 

On the other hand, punitive damages are designed to punish a defendant for acting with reckless or intentional disregard for others’ rights and safety. If it can be proved that a defendant acted with malice, the plaintiff might seek punitive damages. 

Punitive damages are much less common than compensatory damages. They might be awarded in the following cases, especially if the defendant went far beyond normal negligence in their actions:

  • Drunk driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Medical malpractice
  • Selling a product that is known to malfunction

If you have not attended law school, you might be surprised to realize just how many types of damages you can seek compensation for. The list includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Ambulance fees
  • Physical therapy
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Permanent disability
  • In-home services, medical or otherwise
  • Mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of affection

If you have experienced any of these losses as the result of a car accident that was no fault of your own, it is essential that you seek professional legal aid as soon as possible. 

Can you file a claim if you are the passenger in a car accident? 

The short answer is: yes, you can file a claim if you are a passenger in a car accident. While the driver is usually the owner of the vehicle, passengers can be just as much or even more personally impacted by a car accident. 

In fact, a passenger might be able to hold not only a driver in another car liable but also the driver of their own car. If this is the case, you may have even more of a right to file a claim as a passenger than you would as a driver. 

Seeking Legal Aid After a Car Accident 

If you have been in a car accident through no fault of your own, whether you were the driver or the passenger, you are a victim, and you may be entitled to financial compensation. The first thing you should do after a car accident is to seek legal representation. 

If you’re not trained as a lawyer, there’s plenty you might miss among the complexities of the legal process. At Saeedian Law Group, our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys will guide you through your legal journey with skill and expertise to help you achieve the compensation you deserve for your damages. Get in touch with our team today.