Were you hurt in a Texas auto accident while riding as a passenger? If so, you may have the right to file a claim and recover compensation for what you’ve been through. Many passengers assume they can’t take legal action because they weren’t driving the vehicle.
Were you hurt in a Texas auto accident while riding as a passenger? If so, you may have the right to file a claim and recover compensation for what you’ve been through. Many passengers assume they can’t take legal action because they weren’t driving the vehicle.
But that’s just not true.
Much of the time, passengers have some of the strongest injury claims after a crash.
You didn’t control how fast the car was going. And you had no control over whether the driver was texting, distracted, or driving recklessly. For these reasons, Texas law often treats passengers as innocent victims with the right to seek full compensation.
Read on to learn more about auto injury cases involving passengers. We’ll answer all your questions so you can better understand your rights and fight for justice. That way, you won’t be pushed around by insurance companies throughout the claims process.
Passengers Often Have Strong Auto Accident Claims in Texas
In Texas, passengers are usually in a better legal position than drivers. Since passengers don’t technically control the vehicle, insurance companies usually have a harder time blaming them for the crash.
Whether you were riding with a friend, coworker, family member, rideshare driver, or someone you barely knew, you still have legal rights after an accident. The same goes for passengers in taxis, company vehicles, or borrowed cars.
In some situations, multiple drivers may be to blame for a crash. Maybe one driver ran a red light while another one was speeding. Passengers can often go after several parties at the same time, which may increase their potential compensation.
Insurance companies don’t make the process easy, though. It’s not unusual for an adjuster to pressure you to accept a low settlement offer before you understand the full extent of your injuries. That’s one reason why people choose to speak with a lawyer early on in the process.
What Types of Injuries Can Happen in an Auto Crash?
Auto accidents can leave passengers with a wide range of injuries, from mild to life-altering. Even a crash that seems minor at first can lead to pain that lingers for months or years.
Among the most common injuries are whiplash, neck and back injuries, broken bones, and concussions. There are also torn ligaments, spinal cord injuries, burns and scarring, and internal bleeding.
A lot of times, passengers are caught off guard during a collision, since they aren’t focused on the road. This means they can’t brace themselves for the crash, and their injuries may be more severe.
An injury can affect nearly every part of your life. You may need surgery, physical therapy, medication, or long-term treatment. Some people aren’t able to return to work for weeks or months, and others deal with chronic pain that completely changes their daily routine.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in an Auto Accident Case?
When it comes to auto accidents, the at-fault driver is usually the first person held responsible. But they’re not always the only one.
Depending on the facts of the case, several different parties could be to blame for your injuries. For example, if the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash, their employer may also be responsible. And if a defective tire or faulty brakes contributed to the wreck, the manufacturer could be on the hook, too.
There are also situations where the owner of the vehicle may share responsibility. This might happen if they knowingly allowed someone dangerous or unlicensed to drive their car.
Every accident is different. That’s why law firms go beyond the police report. After a deeper review, they may uncover evidence that points to additional insurance coverage or other liable parties.
That can make a huge difference when your injuries are severe, and your medical bills are piling up.
How Does Texas Fault Law Work in Auto Injury Cases?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system, which means each driver’s share of fault is weighed separately.
Passengers usually aren’t blamed for the crash because they don’t typically contribute to these accidents. In many cases, passengers can pursue compensation even if multiple drivers are to blame.
Picture a scenario where one driver was speeding, and the other made an unsafe turn. If both drivers played a part in the crash, the passenger can still file claims against both insurance policies.
What Damages Can I Recover in an Auto Injury Case?
Passengers who were injured in a Texas auto accident may be able to recover compensation for both financial losses and personal suffering.
Economic damages may include things like emergency room bills, ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, prescription costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.
Non-economic damages can include the effects the injury has had on your daily life. That may involve physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or the inability to enjoy activities you once loved.
Some injuries require long-term care or permanent lifestyle changes. A severe spinal injury or traumatic brain injury can affect a person’s ability to work, drive, or live independently. In those situations, future medical expenses and future lost income may become part of the claim.
Are There Deadlines to File an Auto Injury Claim in Texas?
Yes. Texas law puts strict deadlines on injury claims after an auto accident.
In general, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, you may not be able to recover anything.
This deadline doesn’t apply across the board, though. For instance, if the case involves minors or government vehicles, the timeline may be different.
Either way, waiting too long can hurt your case long before the legal deadline arrives.
Important evidence can disappear quickly after an accident. Witnesses forget details. Surveillance footage gets erased. Vehicles may be repaired or destroyed.
To preserve evidence and protect your legal rights, we urge you to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Grossman Law Offices About Your Auto Accident Case
If you were injured as a passenger in a Texas auto accident, you don’t have to figure everything out alone. You may have the right to seek financial recovery for your medical costs, lost income, pain, and other losses tied to the crash.
Grossman Law Offices has spent more than 35 years helping injury victims hold negligent drivers accountable. Whether the accident involved a rideshare, company vehicle, or another private driver, our legal team can review your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Grossman Law Offices today with any questions you might have.
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