Whether in a rideshare vehicle, going on a family trip, or out with friends, all too often, vehicle passengers involved in accidents suffer injuries and damages. After a traumatic event like a car accident, passengers may feel overwhelmed and unsure of whether they have the right to pursue compensation for their damages.

Yes, any motor vehicle accident victim may file a claim. If you've been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The team at Adamson Ahdoot can help you establish liability, gather evidence, and build a compelling case. If you have questions about how to proceed, our team is available 24/7 to guide you. Plus, we offer free, no commitment consultations. Call us today at (866) 719-4271 or submit your information online and we will reach out.

If you were a passenger in a car accident, this likely means you weren't responsible for the incident. Even so, figuring out next steps can be challenging. The good news is that passengers usually have the right to seek compensation. However, figuring out who the responsible parties are and how to proceed with a claim isn't always straightforward.

To file a claim, as well as identifying the negligent party, 4 legal principles common to most personal injury cases must be established:

• Duty of Care: The responsible party had a legal obligation to act in a way that didn't put others at risk. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate safely.
• Breach of Duty: The responsible party failed to meet their duty of care. This might include distracted driving, speeding, or poor vehicle maintenance.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident and resulting injuries.
• Damages: The accident led to measurable losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or emotional trauma.

As a passenger, even though you may not have played a role in the accident, you have legal options. In fact, the lack of legal responsibility may open up several paths for compensation.

This can be the driver of the vehicle you were traveling in, or the driver of another vehicle. When negligence is at play, like in cases involving texting while driving, running a red light, or speeding, you may be entitled to compensation. To pursue this, you'll need to file a claim with their auto insurance.

The damages you may be able to recover, include:

• Medical expenses (past and future).
• Lost income if your injuries kept you from working.
• Pain and suffering.
• Ongoing care or rehabilitation costs.

If you're injured while riding as a passenger, you may also have a right to compensation through the liability coverage of the driver you were riding with--even if they weren't fully at fault. Most insurance policies include coverage for passenger injuries. Depending on the limits of the policy, you may be able to collect a portion--or all--of your damages through this route.

If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft, the company's commercial insurance may apply. These policies typically include $1 million in liability coverage during active rides.

Steps you'll need to take:

• Report the accident through the rideshare app.
• Seek medical attention and document your injuries.
• Speak with an attorney before accepting any settlement offers.

While this may seem like a complicated case, it happens more often than you'd think. To avoid internal conflicts, the insurance company will open a different claim file for each insured individual and assign different adjusters in different departments to each.

The answer to this question depends on the specific details of your case, however, early settlement offers tend to undervalue the true impact of your injuries. The team at Adamson Ahdoot can examine the circumstances and the facts of your accident and help you determine the best course of action. Call us today to learn more about your options and what next steps to take.

Unfortunately, once you accept a settlement, your case is usually closed--permanently. That means even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you originally thought, you likely can't go back and ask for more money later.

In California, most personal injury cases follow a two-year statute of limitations. This means that you have two years since the date of the accident to file a claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, in cases involving a government vehicle, worker, or entity. In this case, the statute of limitations is 6 months since the date of the accident.