Have you recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident? Maybe you were involved in a car accident and you weren't even the driver. If that is the case, you might be wondering, how much money can a passenger in a car accident get?

Just because you weren't behind the wheel of the car doesn't mean you will escape unscathed. There are plenty of situations where passengers suffer serious injuries as well. What should you do if you are involved in a car accident as a passenger, and what factors might dictate the size of your settlement?

What To Do Following a Car Accident as a Passenger

If you are involved in a car accident as a passenger, the most important thing you need to do is remain calm. Emotions run high following a motor vehicle accident, and it is normal to have a lot of questions and concerns. A few of the most important points you should keep in mind include:

• Call 911: The first thing you need to do is call 911. There is a chance that someone else might already be calling 911, but you need to make sure emergency personnel are on the way. You need to wait for the police to arrive at the scene, and you might need to ask for an ambulance as well. If you have suffered any obvious injuries, you need to go to the emergency room.
• See a Doctor: You also need to see a doctor. Even if you feel like you haven't suffered any injuries, you never know what might be hiding underneath the surface. You will likely have a lot of adrenaline coursing through your system, and this can mask a lot of injury symptoms. Make sure you see a doctor as quickly as possible following a motor vehicle accident.
• Collect Information: You also need to collect as much information as possible. After you are done talking to the police, make sure you ask for a copy of the police report. Or, make sure you understand how to access a copy of the police report. You also need to ask your doctor for a copy of your medical records. You will likely need them later.

You deserve to focus all of your attention on your medical recovery. Therefore, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer who can help you.

Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are a passenger in a car accident, and you suffer serious injuries, the accident is unlikely to be your fault. If the accident is not your fault, you should not be responsible for your medical expenses. That is where a personal injury lawyer can help you.

After you are comfortable with the medical care you have received, you need to reach out to a personal injury lawyer who can advocate for your rights. Because you need to focus on your medical recovery, a skilled attorney can collect information related to the accident. The attorney can figure out how your injuries happened, who was responsible for the accident, and how you can seek compensation.

Everyone is required to have car insurance to operate a motor vehicle legally on the road. Therefore, your attorney can figure out who is at fault for the accident. Then, he or she can reach out to that driver's insurance company. That insurance company should provide liability protection for not only property damage but also for medical expenses. Your personal injury lawyer should be able to work with the insurance company to secure compensation for your injuries.

If the other driver doesn't have insurance, then you may need to file a lawsuit against the driver directly to get him or her to pay for the injuries you suffered in the accident. A personal injury lawyer can walk you through this process, allowing you to focus on your medical recovery.

Factors Dictating Your Settlement

So, how much money should you expect to receive if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident? A few factors that will dictate the size of your settlement include:

• Your Injuries: Your injuries will play a significant role in the size of your accident settlement. As a passenger, you can still suffer serious injuries. You may have suffered a head injury, and you may have suffered bone fractures. These can be expensive, even if you have health insurance. The more serious your injuries are, the bigger your potential settlement will likely be.
• Lost Income: If you are hurt and unable to work, you stop getting paid by your employer. If you have lost money as a result of your injuries, a personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for this lost income.
• The Driver’s Insurance Status: Even though you may feel like this should not play a role in the size of your settlement, the reality is that you will probably get more money if the other driver has a good insurance policy. Some drivers don't carry enough insurance protection, and a few drivers might not have insurance at all. If the other driver doesn't have insurance, it may be harder to secure the money you deserve.
• Emotional Distress: Car accidents can be incredibly stressful, even if you are a passenger. If you have suffered a significant amount of emotional distress, you might secure a larger motor vehicle accident settlement. This is particularly true if you have to seek the care of a mental health professional for symptoms related to PTSD.

These are just a handful of many factors that will play a role in the size of your motor vehicle accident settlement. Even if you are a passenger in a motor vehicle accident, you might still suffer serious injuries. Therefore, you could be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. That is where a personal injury lawyer can assist you.

Contact Vasilaros Wagner for Help Following a Florida Car Accident

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident as a passenger, the first thing you need to do is seek appropriate medical care. Then, make sure you work with a personal injury lawyer in Florida who has experience dealing with car accident injury cases. That is where our team can assist you.

We are Vasilaros Wagner, and we have a tremendous amount of experience working with people who have suffered injuries in car accidents, including passengers. It would be our pleasure to assist you as well. We will work with you personally, making sure we examine your accident from every direction. Contact us today for a case consultation.