Statistics show that passengers involved in a car crash often suffer more serious injuries than the driver. Most likely this occurs because instinctively, the person behind the wheel may turn the vehicle away from an obstacle, which places passengers at a greater risk for injury.
If you suffered injuries as a passenger in a Tennessee car crash, you may wonder if you have any options for recovering compensation for your injuries. The short answer is – you do.
At Greg Coleman Law, we discuss what some of those options are and why you should contact an attorney who is prepared to help with your claim, protect your legal rights and help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Take advantage of our free initial consultation to get answers to your questions and learn about your legal options. This meeting carries no obligation to hire our services.
What are My Rights as a Passenger?
When passengers are injured in a car accident, it does not matter which driver was at fault. Even if it is the driver of the car they were riding in, Tennessee places no liability on any passenger for a car accident. The only time a passenger could potentially be held liable for an accident is if he or she deliberately grabbed the wheel of the vehicle.
Passengers can pursue compensation for their injuries and other losses through the insurance company of the at-fault driver. However, the insurers for the drivers will first have to determine which party caused the crash.
Who Do I Pursue for Compensation?
After suffering injuries in a car accident, passengers may have multiple options for pursuing compensation for their injuries, including:
Driver of the car you were riding in: If you were riding in the vehicle that caused the crash, you are eligible to pursue compensation against that driver’s insurance. While you may have misgivings if that person is a friend or family member, it is important to remember that they carry insurance for such purposes.
Another driver who caused the crash: If the driver of another vehicle was responsible for causing the car accident, then you are eligible to pursue compensation against his or her insurance company.
Personal insurance: If you have your own Tennessee auto insurance policy, you will have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), as required by state law. If the at-fault driver has insufficient – or even no insurance – this is another way that you can pursue compensation for the costs associated with your injuries.
In some cases, there may also be a third party, such as a government entity if a road hazard contributed to the accident, or a construction work zone where there was poor or non-existing signage to warn drivers about the work site.
Our Knoxville car accident attorneys are well-versed in state laws and can determine whether one or more of these options may be available to you after the car crash injuries you suffered.
What Steps Should I Take After an Accident?
First steps for a passenger after being injured in a car crash are not too different than what an injured driver would take. However, passengers may feel they do not have the right to get certain information if they were not driving. This is not true. First steps for passengers after being involved in a car accident should include:
- Calling 9-1-1 if no one else has made the call
- Getting the contact information, driver’s license and insurance details of both drivers
- Take pictures of the vehicle damage – only if you can do so safely – and your own injuries
- Seek medical attention immediately after the accident
Contact an Attorney to Protect Your Legal Rights
Being injured as a passenger in another’s car may leave you wondering what your rights are and how you can pursue the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.
At Greg Coleman Law, our firm has more than 200 years of combined legal experience. We have recovered millions in compensation for the injured victims we have represented throughout Tennessee. We strongly recommend that you meet with one of our knowledgeable attorneys to learn how we may be able to help.
The initial consultation at our firm is completely free and carries no obligation. If we represent you, we charge nothing up front and you also pay us nothing for our services unless we first recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact Greg Coleman Law for legal help today: (865) 247-0080
