Being involved in a car accident is always scary and stressful, even as a passenger. It’s easy to become caught in the middle as the drivers of the vehicles and the insurance agencies fight it out and be left wondering who’s responsible for your medical bills. Here are some steps to take if you were a passenger in a motor vehicle accident, from the moments after the accident to seeking medical damages:
Make Sure the Police Officer Has Your Contact Information
Immediately after the accident, it is very important that the police officer on the scene gets your contact information and includes it in the accident report. If you are listed on the police report, it removes any doubt for the insurance companies later on about you being involved in the accident when you are making a bodily injury claim. It’s very difficult for the insurance companies to evaluate your claim later if there’s no record of you being a passenger in the accident.
Take a Photo of the FR-10 or Driver Exchange Form
Many times at the scene of an accident the only people that exchange insurance information are the drivers. This information comes in the form of an FR-10, in South Carolina, or a Driver Exchange Form, in North Carolina. However, what if you need that information in the future? While a passenger can’t expect to receive their own copy at the scene, you can definitely take a photo of it for your records in order to have all the insurance information should you need it.
It can be confusing and stressful to be a passenger involved in a car accident, especially if you are injured, because it can difficult to understand who is responsible for your medical damages. The sections below should help you better understand the steps to take.
Filing Insurance Claims Against the Other Driver
In general, the person who is at-fault for the accident is liable for any medical damages to all involved in the accident, including you as a passenger. To file a claim, you’ll use the insurance and contact information of the driver on the FR-10 or driver exchange form and file a claim with their insurance company if one is not already open for the accident.
Filing Insurance Claims Against Your Driver
If the driver of the car you were in is at-fault for the accident, he or she would be liable for any medical damages resulting from the crash. Just like if the other driver was at-fault, you would file a claim on their policy accordingly. Keep in mind, even if your driver is not at-fault for the accident, their policy may have medpay coverage. Medpay coverage is an optional form of coverage that can help cover your medical bills as a passenger. It’s a set amount, such as $500 or $1,000, that is available to someone injured as a result of the accident, regardless of fault. Therefore, even if your driver is not liable for the accident, their medpay coverage can help cover your medical bills while your claim with the at-fault insurance is pending.
Contact Us for Help
If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident, you need experienced legal advice to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our firm has vast experience handling motor vehicle collision personal injury claims in North and South Carolina and will fight for you.
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