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Denver Passenger Injury Lawyers



Helping Passengers Hurt in Denver Auto Accidents

When you get into someone’s car, whether they are a friend, a rideshare driver, or even a co-worker, you assume they will take your safety seriously. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen, and you may find yourself in a collision that you had completely no control over. That means your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering would be in no way your fault. Essentially, you would be paying for someone else’s negligence.

No one should have to suffer because someone else made a poor decision. We at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. are determined to make sure that no one has to pay for mistakes that aren’t their own. If you were a passenger in a car crash, chances are that you have been left severely injured, stressed, and alone. Thankfully, our Denver passenger injury attorneys may be able to help. If you were seriously injured and need the support of a top Colorado trial attorney, call our firm at (303) 759-9945. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Recovering Compensation as a Passenger

When you picture a car accident, you may automatically place yourself in the driver’s seat. The truth is, however, that you could just as easily be a passenger in a vehicle during a collision. So, you may wonder what exactly your rights are when it comes to compensation. The good news is, as a passenger you may actually have more options than as a driver.

If a driver is at fault for their own accident, for example, they text while driving and then hit a guard rail due to being distracted, then there are no other at-fault parties to file a claim against. However, if you were a passenger in a crash, such as a rideshare accident, then you could file a claim for your injuries against the driver of the car, as they were at fault.

In the case of a two-vehicle collision, you as the passenger are free to file against the at-fault driver, no matter which car you were in. On top of that, if both drivers are found to be partially at fault, then you could file a claim against both parties in order to receive the maximum compensation possible. You may even be able to file a claim against your own insurance policy, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

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What to Do After a Denver Vehicle Accident

Immediately following an accident, you will want to follow the same steps that you would as a driver. In fact, you can potentially help your driver complete the process faster. However, your safety and well-being are more important than anything else. That is why we recommend you:

Seek medical attention: First and foremost, you should always get checked out by a doctor after a crash. Even if you do not believe that you are hurt, you may still be suffering from internal injuries. Calling 911 is an excellent way of doing this, as it will summon the police and an ambulance to your location.

Share contact information: Ask for the contact information of everyone involved in the collision and share yours if asked. This will allow you to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance policy.

Take pictures: Pictures can help keep memories fresh and act as excellent evidence for your claim. You should take pictures of the vehicles involved, any debris and wreckage, and your own injuries if you sustained any. Photos are difficult to dispute, even for particularly determined insurance adjusters. Photos are the best way to record the conditions at the time of the collision, including weather, roads, and lighting.

Speak to the police: Once the police arrive on the scene, you should give them your account on how the collision happened and ask them how you can get a copy of the official report for your claim.

Speak to witnesses: Someone who saw the collision from the outside could potentially give you a clearer assessment of what happened. They can also testify on your behalf during the claims process.

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Injuries Suffered by Passengers

There are countless types of automobile crashes, ranging from single-vehicle accidents to multi-car pileups on the highway. Thousands of passengers are killed or injured in accidents every year, and they all have the right to seek compensation to cover the cost of their medical care and other expenses. Consequences for victims and their families include:

  • Brain and head injuries including bleeding, contusions, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Severe burns often require extensive long-term care, including grafting treatments. Burns can also cause scarring and chronic pain.
  • Spinal injuries that may result in loss of movement and paralysis
  • Internal organ damage that may disrupt your life, requiring surgery and a long hospital stay
  • Broken bones that may takes months to heal and could lead to permanent debilitation
  • Soft tissue injuries such as torn muscles and ligaments, resulting in severe pain and lingering discomfort
  • Amputations
  • Wrongful death

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Comparative Negligence and Filing a Claim

Considering those options, however, may make you question what happens if you are found to be partially at fault. Passengers are rarely found to be liable for an accident, as they do not have control over the vehicle. However, there is still the possibility that the at-fault driver and their insurance adjuster will try to pin the blame on you. The law in your state controls what recovery you can make. There is no cost to find out what the law is in your state.

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Recovering Damages in Colorado

Your personal injury attorney will review your medical records and calculate the total cost of your damages, so you can file an accurate claim. Damages consist of out of-pockets expenses a victim endures as the result of the wreck, with may include the following:

  • Ambulance transport
  • Doctor office visits
  • Surgeries
  • Rehabilitation
  • Loss of wages and future income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages

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When You Have a Relationship with the At-fault Driver

If the at-fault driver was the one driving the car you were in, it is likely that you have some sort of relationship with them. That relationship may make you hesitate when it comes to filing a claim. If you are friends with the at-fault driver, will blaming them for the collision ruin your friendship? We cannot speak to how the collision will impact your relationship with the driver, but you should remember that the money you receive in damages will come from the driver’s insurance policy, not out of their own pocket. Also keep in mind that you have no control over what happened and should not be the one suffering through medical debt and lost wages.

However, your relationship with the driver may also impact your ability to file a claim in the first place. If you are in the same household as the at-fault driver, and thus you share an insurance policy, then you may not be able to recover damages. There may be ways around this, however, as they would also require the help of a skilled and experienced Denver personal injury trial attorney.

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Filing a Third-party Injury Claim

A third-party injury claim is the legal term for filing a claim against someone else’s insurance policy. After your passenger injury attorney investigates the accident to determine whose negligence caused the accident, they can help you file a claim against one or more parties, including the driver of the vehicle you were in and any other drivers who are responsible for the crash.

You are not limited to filing a claim against one driver, and there may be cases where your lawyer uncovers a chain of events that led to your injuries. For example, a truck may jackknife because an inexperienced driver panicked and hit the brakes too quickly. Even if another vehicle crashed into you, your attorney may determine that the truck driver’s negligence led to your injuries.

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You Deserve Proper Compensation

As a passenger, you have more options for recovering compensation than you may realize. Even if the person driving the vehicle you were in is the liable party, you can still potentially recover full damages from their insurance policy. Doing so will require knowledgeable legal help, however. That is where we at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. come in. Our Denver car collision lawyers are passionate about the people we support and always offer a helping hand where it is needed. If we sound like the right firm for you, call us at (303) 759-9945. We are here to help.

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