What Are My Rights As a Passenger in a Car Accident in Texas?

A Texas car accident can seriously injure not just the driver, but passengers, too. If you were a passenger in a car accident, you may be asking, “What are my rights as just the passenger?” A passenger injured in a Texas car accident may be able to obtain compensation for their injuries from the person who caused the crash, even if that person was the driver of the car you were in. The car accident injury attorneys at McKinney Vos can evaluate your situation, explain your options, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Your Rights as a Passenger in a Car Accident

A passenger injured in a car accident has rights and legal protections. Understanding your rights can help protect you from financial loss due to injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Under Texas law, drivers who cause a car accident should compensate people who were injured, including passengers in a car crash. As an injured passenger in a car accident, you have the following rights:

• The right to request the names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers, driver’s license information, and insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident. If a driver refuses to provide this information, you can obtain the information from the police;
• The right to reasonable assistance, including transportation from the accident scene to a doctor or hospital for medical treatment. Even if you believe your injuries were minor, a doctor can evaluate your injuries and provide documentation to help prove they were caused by the car accident;
• The right to the official police report concerning the car accident;
• The right to decline to speak to insurance adjusters or provide a recorded statement. We recommend contacting an experienced personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance company representatives. A personal injury attorney can protect your rights and help you avoid saying something that could make obtaining compensation more difficult;
• The right to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced car accident injury attorney who can analyze your situation and help you evaluate your options for seeking compensation;
• The right to seek compensation from the driver who caused the accident and your injuries;
• The right to seek compensation through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), if it is available;
• The right to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and, if necessary, to file a lawsuit to seek full compensation for your losses;

Proving Liability for a Texas Car Accident

Before a passenger injured in a car accident can receive compensation for their injuries, they must prove who was at fault for causing the crash.

To prove another driver was at fault for causing injuries in a Texas car accident, the injured person must show:

• The driver had a duty to other people on the road, including the injured passenger;
• The driver breached their duty;
• The driver’s breach of their duty caused injuries to another person;
• The amount of damages, or losses the injured person suffered because of the car crash;

What Compensation Is Available to a Passenger Injured in a Car Crash?

An injured passenger in a car crash has the right to seek compensation for their injuries and other losses caused by the accident. As a passenger injured in a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical bills;
• Lost wages;
• Property damage;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental anguish;
• Loss of enjoyment of life;
• Disfigurement and permanent injuries;

Seeking Compensation as a Passenger in a Car Crash

When you work with the personal injury lawyers at McKinney Vos, we can investigate the cause of the accident and notify the other drivers, insurance representatives, and lawyers that you have legal representation. We can gather evidence to prove who caused the accident and the extent of your damages. And we can negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek full and fair compensation for your injuries. If a fair resolution is not forthcoming, we have the experience, expertise, and resources to take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Can a Passenger Be Liable for Causing a Car Crash?

In most cases, the passenger was not responsible for causing the car crash. A passenger could be found partially liable if they distracted the driver, obscured the driver’s vision, impaired the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle, interfered with the vehicle, or encouraged the driver to behave recklessly. However, these situations are rare, and in most cases, a passenger injured in a car crash is not liable for causing the accident.

McKinney Vos Seeks Justice for Passengers Injured in a Car Crash

As a passenger injured in a car crash, you have legal rights. The Texas car accident injury lawyers at McKinney Vos can fight for the compensation you deserve. To put our expertise to work for you, contact McKinney Vos today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.