If you were injured in a car accident as passenger in New York, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Read on and reach out to our dedicated Ulster County auto accident lawyer to learn more.
What steps should I take if I was an injured passenger in a car accident?
1. Get Contact Information
While you may not have been a driver that was involved in the car accident, you should still obtain the information of who was responsible for it as an injured person. Keep in mind that even though your insurance will not be responsible for your injuries, one of the drivers involved will be liable.
When filing a claim, you will be able to determine which driver was negligent in the accident. You will likely receive compensation for the injuries you receive and your medical expenses, costs, and lost wages are all the responsibility of the at-fault driver.
Be sure to ask for all of the drivers’ contact information. Whether the fault is apparent or not, it is necessary to acquire information from everyone involved to make sure you are fully protected.
2. File an Injured Passenger Claim
Like drivers filing car accident claims, you need to file an injured passenger claim. Insurance companies will battle it out to see who was at fault, but recognize that your insurance company is almost never responsible for passenger-injury-related costs.
You can file a passenger injury claim with an insurance company if the fault is clear. But keep in mind that if it is going to be challenging to determine the fault, you can file your passenger injury claim with all involved drivers’ insurance companies and then have them determine who is responsible.
Whether you decide to file on one or more insurance companies, it is always a third-party claim. This term indicates you are not claiming with your own insurance company. Even though you can consider filing a claim with your own insurance policy.
3. Hire a New York Personal Injury Attorney
In the event that the insurance companies involved are battling over who is at fault and neither company wants to claim responsibility for your medical costs, a lawsuit may be your best option.
Filing a lawsuit for damages may be the path to take if you need to obtain compensation for your injuries. By hiring a personal injury attorney, you will be guided through every step of the way. An Ulster County personal injury lawyer can advise how you should move forward with your case.
Contact Our Experienced Ulster County Firm
If you require legal representation for personal injury matters in New York, contact John A. DeGasperis, Esq. to schedule an initial consultation to learn more about our services and how we can assist your upcoming legal process.
