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Do Car Insurance Policies Cover Passengers Involved in a Crash?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
african-american-man-holding-neck-in-car-with-womanIf you are injured as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, which insurance policy will cover your damages? The answer to this question depends on the circumstances involved in your accident. The experienced auto accident lawyers in Sacramento at the Arnold Law Firm can help determine liable parties and assist you in recovering compensation. Schedule a free case review today.

Filing a Claim as a Passenger

California is a fault state, so accident victims – including passengers – file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The at-fault driver could be the one driving the vehicle you were in, or the driver of another vehicle that hit the one you were riding in. California law requires all vehicle owners to maintain minimum liability coverage on their vehicles as part of the state’s financial responsibility laws. This coverage pays for damages from an accident caused by the policyholder. The minimum coverage amounts are:
  • $15,000 bodily injury to one person
  • $30,000 bodily injury to more than one person
  • $5,000 property damage
If you are already included in the at-fault driver’s policy, you may be unable to file a claim against the liability coverage in that policy. If this policy has Med Pay coverage, you may be able to pursue compensation for your medical bills. This coverage applies no matter who was at fault for the accident.

Named Driver Exclusions

Some drivers tell their insurance companies to exclude certain people from coverage from their insurance policy. Drivers may do this to lower their premiums because the driver they want to exclude is a high risk, for example, maybe he or she has had a DUI or a bad driving record.

Injured Passenger Do’s and Don’ts

If you are injured in an auto accident, it is important to know what to do in the days and weeks that follow.
  • Contact the police so they can investigate and file a report.
  • Ask all drivers for their insurance and contact information.
  • Seek medical attention if you were injured.
  • Do not give a recorded statement. Insurance companies may try to use this against you.
  • Do not agree to settle your claim right away. Talk to a lawyer first to learn more about the potential value of your claim. Your lawyer can also manage your claim on your behalf.
  • Do not sign anything without talking to your lawyer. This includes written statements or medical records releases.

Contact Us Today About Your Accident

If you were injured as a passenger in an auto accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation for the damages you suffered. Our trusted attorneys are prepared to investigate your claim and determine who may be liable for the damages you suffered.

Contact us to learn more about possible legal options. Call (916) 777-7777.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.