Should You Sue Your Friend After a Car Accident?

A passenger can pursue a claim against any person that was at fault for the accident they were in. This is true even if it is the driver of the car you were in.

When you are a passenger, and your driver caused the crash, you may not know where to turn.  It is important to know there are options. The claim will be filed against the driver’s insurance, not the person themselves.

Types of Passenger Accidents We Represent

If a passenger is involved in an accident that involved multiple vehicles, they would pursue a claim for their injuries against the driver who caused the crash.

When an accident only involves one vehicle, typically, the driver would assume fault.

Pursuing a claim will help alleviate the costs or damages associated with an injury. It is important to hold the at-fault accountable for your injuries, no matter who they are. After someone has suffered any type of pain and suffering after an injury, they deserve to be compensated.

What Happens When You Sue Your Friend’s Insurance?

It may feel unnatural to pursue a claim after a car accident when your friend was the driver at fault. However, it is important to understand that you are not making a claim against them personally, you are pursuing a claim through their insurance.

Sometimes, you may not have the choice to pursue a claim against your friend’s insurance company. Health care costs and missed time from work can add up quickly and drastically change your life. Pursuing a claim for your injuries will help cover these types of losses so you can get back to life.

Seeking medical attention should be the first step you take after an accident. If you decide to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, you will have to prove that his or her negligence caused your injury.

How the Personal Injury Claim Process Works

Personal Injury cases can become complex. Below is a list of a few things an accident victim can do to help their claim.

• Get insurance information for all the drivers involved in the accident.
• File a police report. A police report will provide much-needed documentation that will help further your claim.
• Take pictures of the scene of the accident.
• If possible, obtain witnesses’
• Seek medical treatment. The injuries will then be reported in your medical records which can be used for your claim.
• Contact an experienced car accident attorney to help build your case.

When you pursue a claim against the at-fault driver, whether it is the driver of the vehicle you are in or not, you are simply making a claim against their insurance. Their insurance will pay out your medical bills, wage loss, out-of-pocket expenses and pain and suffering damages if applicable.

You should not feel guilty about pursuing a claim against your friend’s insurance. That is why insurance is a requirement and what it is supposed to be used for. It is to protect drivers and passengers in the unfortunate event of a car accident.

Your friend will not be involved in the pre-litigation claim’s process, their insurance company will be. Hiring a personal injury lawyer on your behalf will also allow you, the victim, to not have to manage the insurance company alone.

Getting Compensation After a Car Accident

After a car accident, many may wish to pursue a personal injury claim against the at- fault party to recover damages sustained in that crash.

To determine the full amount of damages an accident victim can pursue, certain items must be taken into consideration, including:

• The length of time a person is under treatment
• What their doctor says about their recovery
• Any ongoing problems they may have

Once the medical evidence has been reviewed you can begin to evaluate the other aspects of the claim which include:

• Unpaid medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Unpaid wages
• Future wage loss
• Loss of earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering

Call Our Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review

If you were a passenger involved in a crash, and have questions about your options, contact the injury attorneys at Berger and Green. Our lawyers will offer you a free consultation and discuss your case.

At Berger and Green, we understand the effect an accident can have on your life. We take this into account and make sure our clients get the compensation they need. Contact us to speak with our personal injury attorneys today.