Carpooling is common in many areas. In busy cities like Atlanta, you might ride to work with a friend or find transportation through a ridesharing app.
Most of the time, these rides are convenient and uneventful. But that can change in a split second if the car is involved in an accident.
Personal injury claims from passengers can be tricky to navigate. Whether you choose to pursue the driver of the vehicle for negligence or the driver who hit the car you were traveling in, you’ll want an advocate by your side.
Ali Awad is an experienced personal injury attorney who helps Georgia clients claim the compensation they may be entitled to. Known for his high success rate and excellent reviews, Awad treats every client with dignity, respect, and care.
Further, he works on a contingency basis, meaning he doesn’t make any money unless you receive a payout.
After you have been hurt as a passenger in an accident, you can request a free, no-obligation case review with an experienced attorney by calling (404) 777-8800 or filling out our online contact form to get in touch.
Why Hire an Atlanta Passenger Injury Attorney?
Highway safety data shows that in 2020 alone, more than 23,000 passengers died in car accidents throughout the country. Even if you’re not driving, there is a substantial risk of injury or death while traveling in a vehicle.
Personal injury claims from passengers are often complex. On the one hand, a passenger could claim that the driver of their own vehicle acted negligently if the accident was the driver’s fault.
On the other hand, a passenger could successfully claim that the driver of another vehicle was negligent if they are found at fault. Without help from a seasoned personal injury attorney, you may not know who is at fault for what happened — and, therefore, your efforts to get compensation could fall flat.
In addition to helping you understand your options, an attorney can advocate on your behalf with insurance agencies, hospitals, providers, and law enforcement. This representation can be powerful in situations where you’re struggling to get answers or elicit action from other parties.
Hiring an attorney shows that you’re serious about pursuing justice and getting the compensation that you deserve.
What Passengers Should Know About Filing Personal Injury Claims in Georgia
If you’ve been involved in a car accident as a passenger, you should familiarize yourself with how insurance works in this situation. You’ll need to figure out who is the liable party and then file a claim with their insurance company.
From there, you’ll learn what damages are covered by the policy.
It’s possible that the damages will exceed the liable party’s coverage limits. If this happens, you have the option of pursuing more compensation through a personal injury claim.
If you discover that the liable party doesn’t have insurance or the coverage isn’t adequate, you may still have recourse if you hold an uninsured motorist policy.
Further, there may be situations where an injury claim may escalate into a lawsuit, especially when fault is unclear, disputed, or difficult to prove with the evidence being provided. In these situations, hiring a personal injury attorney can be beneficial, helping you understand all your legal options while accurately assessing the full extent of damages suffered.
Can a Passenger Be Found Liable for An Accident in Georgia?
In almost all cases, passengers do not share in the liability for a car accident. This would only come up as a concern in extreme situations, like if the accident occurred because a passenger threatened or attacked the driver or tried to wrest control of the wheel.
However, it is possible that you could be found liable (in part) for your injuries. For instance, if you were agitating another driver when the accident occurred, you might share liability if your actions could be interpreted as a contributor to the accident.
This finding also could affect your payout for a personal injury claim since Georgia is a comparative negligence state. In states with these standards, participants in an accident are assigned a percentage of the blame.
Each person’s eligibility for compensation hinges on their share of responsibility for what happened.
Determining what parties were involved and who shared liability — while refuting allegations that you were liable — are common tasks for an injury attorney. With their knowledge and experience, they can help you navigate the process, interpret the applicable laws, and seek the maximum compensation possible for all of your damages.
Steps to Take After the Accident
Accident scenes can be chaotic and overwhelming. The drivers may be busy speaking to one another, talking to law enforcement, and exchanging information.
As a passenger, you need to verify that you’re safe before trying to help anyone else. Take the following steps as soon as an accident occurs:
- Get to safety: After the accident, the driver should drive the vehicle (if possible) to a safe spot to avoid oncoming traffic. If the driver is incapacitated, this task may fall to you or to another able-bodied passenger. It is crucial to get to a safe place since a disabled vehicle poses a risk to everyone on the road.
- Call 911: As soon as possible, someone in the vehicle needs to call 911. Whether that’s you, the driver, or another passenger, be ready to make this phone call if no one else is able. The police may need specific information about your location, the make and model of the vehicle(s), and any injuries or issues with the driver or passengers.
- Seek medical help: This step takes precedence over all others if someone is injured. When you call 911, make sure to let them know that the situation is urgent. Provide details about injuries and the overall accident scene so that officers know where to find you.
- Contact your personal injury attorney: Finally, after the dust has settled, you should get in touch with your attorney to plan out the next steps. They’ll help you determine which insurance company to speak with, and they can advocate on your behalf if you’re struggling to make headway with the insurer. Be prepared with accident reports and medical documentation to expedite the process of making your claim.
What Can Passengers Claim Compensation for After an Accident?
Car accidents can have significant repercussions. From medical bills to pain and suffering, there are several components to a personal injury claim following a car crash.
Medical Expenses
Even with personal health insurance available, unexpected medical care will be costly. You may have bills for an ambulance ride, care in the emergency room, care related to a long-term hospital stay, surgeries, medications, anesthesia, therapies, and other procedures.
Further, in an emergency, you can’t always control what providers or hospitals you’re seen at, which also impacts the final bill.
Your personal injury attorney will need documentation for all of your medical care following the accident. Hang on to receipts, invoices, discharge paperwork, and other relevant forms.
From there, they’ll determine how much money you’ve spent up to this point on care, and they’ll make predictions about future medical expenses. They’ll advocate for as much compensation as possible to cover your current and projected medical bills.
Lost Wages
After an accident, you may be unable to work due to your injuries. Further, if someone passes away in the crash, you’ll need some personal time to grieve.
As part of your claim, your attorney can request payment for lost wages. This provides some breathing room so that you can properly heal after the crash.
Special Accommodations
An accident can instantly turn your life upside down. After a crash, you may struggle to care for young children, face issues with transportation and working, or have trouble maintaining your home.
Ultimately, others may have to help care for your kids or assist you around the house. These services can be costly, so your attorney may request some compensation on your behalf to help cover the expenses.
Pain and Suffering
The psychological effects of an accident can be hard to measure, but there’s no doubt that you’ll face some mental or emotional struggles after a traumatic event. For passengers, not having any control over what happened can make the crash especially tough to process.
Your attorney will work with you to determine an amount to include in your claim for pain and suffering.
Contact an Atlanta Passenger Injury Law Firm Today
The state of Georgia has laws in place to protect and help passengers in car wrecks. If you’re struggling with medical debt, distress, or other challenges after being in an accident, Ali Awad is here to help.
As lead attorney at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, Awad understands how to navigate the legal system effectively so that his clients get the compensation they deserve. He’s won millions in jury awards and settlements for his clients throughout the state.
No matter your circumstance, he’ll listen to your situation and help you determine if there is a path forward for making a successful personal injury claim. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling (404) 777-8800 or filling out our online contact form today.
