What to Do if You Are an Injured Passenger in a Relative’s or Friend’s Vehicle During a Car Accident
A car crash in Baltimore is stressful enough but having serious injuries when you know the driver adds another layer of difficulty. It is common to worry about moving forward to pursue the compensation you deserve because it feels like you are “suing” a family member or friend. In most cases, that is not what is happening. A passenger typically makes a personal injury claim against an auto insurance company, not against the person you know and care about.
Many injured passengers are apprehensive about hiring personal injury lawyers. They don’t know if they have a claim, and they are worried that they might somehow be doing something wrong by hiring a car accident attorney to help them stand up for their legal rights as an injured passenger.
In Maryland, a car accident victim who is even 1 percent at-fault for an accident is barred from recovering any compensation. Therefore, if an insurance company accuses you of contributing to your injuries as a passenger, consult an auto accident attorney immediately.
Our Baltimore car accident attorneys offer free case evaluations, which is an opportunity to determine the best legal course of action under Maryland law given the facts of your case. In most cases the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt is able to obtain an out of court settlement.
Start with Safety and Medical Care
Your health comes first. If injured, seek medical attention right away, even if symptoms seem minor. Some injuries, like back, neck and head injuries, can worsen over time. Medical records also create a clear link between the car collision and your injuries, which is important for any personal injury insurance claim.
Addressing the Guilt: You Are Not Filing Against Your Relative or Friend
This is the emotional hurdle for many passengers. The driver’s liability coverage or other available insurance coverage generally covers medical payments coverage or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Your relative or friend is not usually writing a personal check. The insurer is handling the personal injury claim under a policy that exists for this exact situation.
What to Do at the Accident Scene and Immediately After
It’s normal to feel upset, confused, and overwhelmed in the aftermath of a car wreck. The steps you take after an auto accident are important to protect your health and ability to recover costs and out of pocket expenses later. What information do you need? What are you supposed to say to the driver? Are you supposed to call the police? Is there any evidence you need to collect at the accident scene? What if someone’s been seriously injured?
These are all common questions people have after being in a car accident, which is why the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt has created a list of steps to take following a car accident. Read these useful tips from our Baltimore car accident attorneys and you’ll be better prepared in the event you get into an accident. The following are generally applicable after most car crashes in Maryland:
- Keep calm and assess the situation – if anyone has been injured and needs immediate medical attention, call 911 right away to request an ambulance. Otherwise, you should have the driver move their car out of harm’s way so that you don’t impede traffic or have another collision. Turn the hazard lights on to alert other driver’s there’s been a wreck, and place down flares or safety triangles if you have them.
- Call the Police – Let the dispatcher know you were in an auto accident as a passenger and where you’re located. When the investigating officer arrives, tell the truth about what happened and just stick to the facts. You should be able to obtain a copy of the police report from the police department for a fee within a few days. This is an important step to take, as police accident reports are often critical pieces of evidence that can make or break your claim.
- Get information from the driver of the vehicle you are a passenger in and other driver – You will want to get the name, address, phone number, license plate number, driver’s license number, insurance company name, and insurance policy number from everyone involved in the wreck. If you were involved in a car accident with a commercial vehicle, be sure to get the name and contact information of the driver’s employer.
- Don’t talk about fault – The last thing you should be doing at the scene of your car wreck is arguing with other drivers about who’s at fault. You’re better off not saying anything.
- Take pictures and video – If you’re able to, take detailed pictures and/or video of your car crash. Make sure to show all the damage, skid marks, streets signs, traffic lights, road markings, construction, hazards, and any visible injuries. Do your best to paint a clear picture of the accident scene. Bonus tip: Take notes about your wreck while it’s all still fresh in your mind. Write down then and where the auto accident took place and any important details that could be useful down the road when filing a claim.
- Seek out witnesses – If anyone saw your car collision happen, ask them to stay to give a statement to police. Before they leave, see if you can get their name and contact information. Eyewitness testimony is often a difference-maker when trying to prove fault.
- Get examined by a medical professional – Even if you don’t have visible injuries or symptoms, you should get checked out by a licensed medical doctor within 24 hours of your car wreck. Some injuries have delayed onset symptoms and aren’t immediately noticeable. Make sure to document your doctor visits and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Go off the grid – Do not post anything online about your car accident. This includes talking about your car crash on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and all other social media platforms. Anything you post online about your collision could potentially be used against you to challenge or deny your claim. You’re simply better off not discussing the details of your accident online or with your family and friends.
- Notify your insurance company – You are required to notify the driver’s insurance company that you’ve been in a collision as a passenger, so call them to let them know you were in a car wreck. Give the facts of what happened but do not go into too much detail. If an insurance adjuster pressures you for more information or wants you to give a recorded statement, politely decline and refer them to your lawyer. Do not speak with the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first.
- Call a car accident lawyer – An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to meet with you, learn the details of your wreck, discuss your legal options, answer your questions, and help you figure out the best way to maximize the value of your claim. Since the majority of personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and will represent you on a contingency fee basis, it probably won’t cost you any upfront money to have a car wreck lawyer tackle your claim.
These actions help preserve evidence and reduce disputes later. They also make it easier for you to move forward with your personal injury claim and for the insurance adjuster to evaluate your bodily injury claim fairly.
Get Help from Our Maryland Car Accident Lawyers Now
The Baltimore car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, want to help if you are a passenger hurt in a car crash. Let us handle your personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, no matter who they are, so you can focus on healing.
At the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt, our attorneys have significant experience handling a variety of accident claims ranging from relatively routine cases to catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, herniated discs, fractures, and even death. Our car accident attorneys and legal staff work in teams to make sure that all of the details of your case are covered as if we were working on our own personal injury claim.
Schedule your meeting with an experienced attorney at the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt by calling 443-844-1528 now. We will review your documentation, assess your claim’s strength, and explain your options for recovering the compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and losses. We are available day or night. Call us today!