When you’re injured as a passenger in a car accident, you might wonder about your rights and if they are different than if you were a driver. Understanding your rights can help you know how to handle medical debt and pursue compensation for your other accident-related losses. An experienced San Antonio car crash attorney can help you through the process and ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
What Are Car Accident Passenger Rights in Texas?
Texas is an at-fault state for car accidents. Therefore, the party found to be at fault for the accident is responsible for paying for the damages they cause. This concept applies whether the at-fault driver was the driver of the vehicle you were in or another driver.
Some of the important rights you should be aware of as you make a San Antonio personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provider include the following:
The Right to Request Information
Just as drivers can request information about the other drivers involved in the accident, so can you. Ask all drivers for the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Driver’s license information
- Vehicle registration number
- Insurance information
If the drivers do not willingly provide this information, ask the police officer who responds to the scene to obtain it and share it with you.
The Right to Request Reasonable Medical Assistance
If you were injured in the accident, you have the right to request transportation to a hospital or doctor for medical treatment. Even if you initially feel fine after an accident, you might still wish to seek medical attention as the adrenaline could have masked your symptoms.
Medical records are crucial to your insurance claim, so you don’t want to delay treatment or give the insurance company any reason to believe that you aren’t taking your injuries seriously.
The Right to Access Police Reports
Texas law allows injured crash victims the right to access police reports regarding the accident. Ask the responding police officer when the report will be available and how to obtain a copy. You will have to pay a small fee, but this report is vital to filing a claim, and the insurance company will likely request it.
The Right Not to Give a Recorded Statement
It’s common for insurance companies to ask for a recorded statement after an accident, but you have the right to refuse to provide it. Many car accident lawyers recommend not providing this type of statement since insurance companies often use it against the claimant as a way to show the claimant’s statements are inconsistent or to try to get the claimant to say something that damages their claim.
The Right to Hire a Lawyer
Any time that you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to contact a San Antonio truck accident lawyer for legal assistance. If you hire a lawyer, they can handle your legal claim for you.
What Car Accident Damages Can I Recover?
You can request compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical treatment and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Damages to cover any personal property damaged in the crash
- Pain and suffering
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Case
If you were injured in a car accident as a passenger, George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help. Call today to get started with a free case review.