If you’re a passenger in a vehicle accident, your first steps should involve reporting the accident, seeking medical care, and working with a legal professional. Understanding what to do if you’re a passenger in a vehicle accident can help you stay safe and allow you to pursue compensation for any injuries and losses you’ve suffered.
It’s perfectly natural to ask, “What do I do if I’m a passenger in a car accident?” A Tallahassee car accident lawyer can answer your questions, investigate your accident, determine if you have grounds for a legal claim, and help you seek a settlement. Let’s take a closer look at what you should do as a passenger in a collision and how a lawyer can help you pursue remedies.
Contact the Police if You’re a Passenger in a Vehicle Accident
If you’re asking, “What do I do if I’m a passenger in a car accident?” you should reach out to the police and inform them of what happened. They can come to the scene of the accident, review what happened, and file an official report.
It’s important that you encourage the driver of your vehicle not to leave the accident scene before the police arrive. Leaving can result in hit-and-run charges for the driver, so it’s essential that they stay and speak with law enforcement. The police may also provide a copy of the report to the driver involved in the accident.
A Florida personal injury attorney can use a copy of the police report to prove that you were a passenger in the accident and that you deserve compensation for any injuries and losses you’ve suffered.
Seek Medical Care if You Got Hurt in the Accident
Seeking medical attention is at the top of the list of what to do if you’re a passenger in a vehicle accident. Your health and safety are always the most important part of the accident, so if you’ve suffered severe injuries, skip calling the police and call an ambulance immediately.
Emergency services will respond to the scene of the collision and provide the treatment you need. Remember to follow all of the instructions your doctor gives you and save any medical records or bills, as your lawyer can use them to strengthen your claim.
Once you’ve been treated, make sure to reach out to a skilled personal injury lawyer. An attorney can pursue compensation for pain, medical expenses, and other losses associated with the following injuries:
- Broken bones
- Damage to your internal organs
- Cuts or burns
- Head, neck, or back injuries
- Brain injuries
If you’re a passenger in a vehicle accident and have suffered minor injuries that don’t require immediate medical attention, you’ll want to stay at the accident scene and gather important information. However, once you’ve left the site of the crash, you should definitely see a doctor. A medical professional can diagnose your injuries and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Gather Information at the Accident Scene
When people ask, “What do I do if I’m a passenger in a car accident?” they don’t think that the answer will be to investigate the accident scene. That said, gathering evidence and information from the crash site ASAP can increase your chances of filing a successful injury claim.
If you were a passenger in a vehicle accident, there are several things you should document. Make sure to take photos of the following elements of the accident scene before leaving:
- Your injuries and the driver’s injuries
- The damage to the vehicle you were driving in
- The damage to other cars in the accident
- Hazards that led to the accident
Additionally, getting insurance information and other details from the driver who caused your accident is a good idea. You can also speak to witnesses at the scene for their contact information. Giving these pieces of information to your attorney during your initial consultation can help them pursue the damages you deserve.
Speak with a Lawyer if You Were the Passenger in an Accident
If you’re wondering, “What do I do if I’m a passenger in a car accident?” You’ll want to speak to a lawyer. An attorney can advise you on the steps you should take after a vehicle accident and assist you in pursuing compensation.
An attorney can calculate how much you should receive for your injuries and losses, file a strong claim on your behalf, and fight for the damages you’re owed. Depending on how the accident has impacted your health and finances, an attorney may pursue any of the following remedies for you:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Time spent in a hospital
- Surgeries, tests, and additional procedures
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Medications
You may also request compensation for the time you took off from work due to your injuries. The insurance company may also cover your pain and suffering. A lawyer can offer precise information on which forms of compensation you’re entitled to receive from a claim.
Does Car Insurance Cover All Passengers in Florida?
Generally, car insurance in Florida covers any passengers riding in a vehicle. Therefore, you may have a chance to seek damages for your losses even if a driver was transporting multiple people simultaneously.
Florida’s car insurance regulations mean that individuals hit by the vehicle may also claim compensation in some situations. A car accident lawyer can review your eligibility to seek compensation after a collision.
Do You Have Additional Legal Options After a Collision?
There’s no shortage of options for individuals who are wondering, “What do I do if I’m a passenger in a car accident?” From insurance claims to civil suits, there are several ways you can go about pursuing compensation. If you sustained a severe injury, you might have a chance to file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident.
Generally, Florida treats injuries that result in serious long-term consequences, disabilities, or severe scarring as serious injuries. For example, the loss of a limb would be an example of a severe injury.
In these situations, a lawyer can advise you on the steps to take to file a lawsuit. Remember that Florida’s statute of limitations means you only have a few years to seek damages to cover your losses.
Filing Deadline for Car Accident Suits in Florida
The last thing you want to do if you’re a passenger in a vehicle accident is to wait to get started on your claim. Delaying legal action could stop you from meeting the filing deadline set forth by Florida’s statute of limitations. According to the statute, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a civil suit.
Failing to file your suit before the deadline could stop you from getting the damages you need to cover your medical expenses, replace lost wages, and more. Reach out to a lawyer today so they can get an early start on your case.
Hire a Lawyer if You Were a Passenger in a Vehicle Accident
Now that you know what to do if you’re a passenger in a vehicle accident, it’s time to speak with a skilled lawyer. An attorney from Fasig | Brooks can meet with you for a free consultation and determine if you’re entitled to receive compensation.
At our firm, we’ve won over $1 billion for individuals injured in car wrecks and other types of accidents. You can count on us to pursue a fair settlement for you and the driver of your vehicle. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted attorney and take the first step toward your compensation.
