What to Do If You’re Injured as a Passenger in a Car Accident in Connecticut?

Car accidents are always stressful events. If you were the passenger in a car, your injuries could be just as substantial as, if not worse than, the driver’s. Do you know what to do if you’re injured as a passenger in a car accident in Connecticut? The answer isn’t quite as simple as you might think.

Step One: Collect Evidence

If you have not sustained severe injuries during the crash, you should take the opportunity to collect evidence at the scene. That evidence could include photos or videos of the cars involved, the surrounding vicinity, and any injuries you have sustained. You can also gather personal contact information from witnesses to the accident, who may be able to provide valuable testimony should the case go to trial.

Step Two: Seek Medical Care

Your first step should always be to seek medical care for any injuries you may have sustained during the crash. Keep in mind that some injuries are not readily apparent to the naked eye and may require a trained medical professional for diagnosis. These can include serious internal injuries. If you’re at all concerned that you may have been hurt, call an ambulance or go to an Emergency Room as soon as possible after the crash.

Step Three: Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

Your next step should be to hire a car accident lawyer. Determining how to file a claim for your injuries can be difficult on your own. You’ll need to know who was legally at fault for the accident and what kind of coverage the person driving the car you were in has.

A Connecticut car accident lawyer can help you determine who was at fault and how to file a claim. Our team can also file paperwork for you, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and provide courtroom representation.

Step Four: File a Claim

The state follows a fault-based system, which means that the driver found to have caused the accident is responsible for covering damages. Your driver may also carry personal injury protection, which can cover your injuries regardless of fault. Personal injury protection pays for the following:

• A certain amount of medical expenses
• Up to ⅔ of lost wages
• Other reasonable, necessary expenses related to the injury

If your driver doesn’t have personal injury protection and the at-fault driver doesn’t carry insurance, you may need to file a claim through your own auto insurance policy. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it could reimburse you for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You have two years from the date of the crash to file a claim.

Step Five: Negotiate a Settlement

A total of 306,396 car crashes occurred in the state of Connecticut in 2024. Of those crashes, 73,348 involved some level of personal injury to a driver or passenger. The previous year, 33,975 Connecticut residents were treated in hospitals for crash-related injuries. Nearly all of the claims brought by passengers in these accidents were settled outside of court during negotiations.

The key to getting a good settlement agreement is to work with a car accident attorney. Insurance companies are notorious for offering low payouts that will not cover 100% of accident victims’ medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. A car accident lawyer can help you negotiate a better settlement that will be more likely to cover all your needs.

FAQs

Can You Claim a Personal Injury as a Passenger?

You can claim a personal injury as a passenger in a car accident. Whose insurance pays for your damages will vary, depending on who was at fault for the accident. If the person driving your car was at fault, their insurance should pay for your damages. If another driver or a third party was at fault, you may need to file a claim through their insurance company instead.

What Happens if a Passenger Gets Hurt While I Am Driving?

If a passenger gets hurt while you’re driving, their injuries will be covered by the insurance company of whichever driver was at fault. If you’re determined to be at fault for the accident, your insurance policy will cover their injuries, and your premium may go up. If another driver or a third party is determined to be at fault, it will be their insurance that pays for your passenger’s care.

How Much Can I Get for Being a Passenger in a Car Accident?

How much you can get for being a passenger in a car accident varies, depending on factors such as the severity of your injuries and whether you’re expected to suffer lasting harm as a result of them. The policy coverage limits for the person deemed responsible for the accident may also cap the amount of money you can get in a settlement.

Does Insurance Cover All Passengers?

Insurance doesn’t automatically cover all passengers. Drivers need to carry additional coverage, such as personal injury protection or MedPay, to cover passengers’ medical expenses, regardless of fault. If you don’t have those additional protections and you were not at fault for the accident, your passengers will need to file claims under the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Your Connecticut Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured during a car accident, it doesn’t matter whether you were the driver or a passenger. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Now that you know what to do if you’re injured as a passenger in a car accident in Connecticut, it’s time to take action and file a car accident claim. The easiest way to do so is through a Connecticut car accident attorney.

The team at Miller, Rosnick, D’Amico, August & Butler has handled countless claims for passengers in automotive accidents. We’re intimately familiar with car accident laws and know how to bring that knowledge to bear to help you get a settlement that will help you cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.