What To Do If You Were a Passenger in a Connecticut Car Accident?

If you are a passenger in a car that was involved in a Connecticut car accident, you may be wondering if you are eligible for compensation for injuries you sustained or if you can file a claim or lawsuit in Connecticut. 

The short answer is yes. There are some questions you need to ask to figure out what specific Connecticut car accident claims you can make. You should contact a Connecticut car accident lawyer to help you answer the following questions: 

• Who was at fault for causing the collision?
• Who owns the car that hit the car you were in?
• Does anyone involved in the accident have adequate insurance coverage?

What to Do if The Driver of Your Vehicle Is at Fault

You may feel uncomfortable making an insurance claim against (or possibly filing a lawsuit against) the driver if they are a friend or family member. However, in order to obtain compensation for your accident-related injuries, you may need to do so. In essence, you would file a claim against the driver of your vehicle’s insurance policy. You should not think of it as going after your friend’s assets, instead trying to get the compensation you deserve through their auto insurance company. They pay premiums to ensure their passengers can be compensated for injuries in collisions caused by their negligence.  

If you were a passenger in a rideshare company car such as Uber or Lyft when the accident happened, you could seek compensation not only from the driver, but also from the rideshare company. If you were struck by someone driving for Uber or Lyft, then the options available to you in this scenario depend on the circumstances of the accident and whether the driver was logged into the rideshare app during the time when the incident occurred. For example, if the driver was not actively logged into the app at the time of collision, they may only be covered by their personal auto insurance policies. If, however, they were actively logged into the app and driving a rideshare passenger, then the rideshare company’s full rideshare liability policy may cover the damages. 

What if the Other Driver Was at Fault?

If the driver of the other vehicle was at fault for the Connecticut car accident, with the help of a Connecticut car accident lawyer, you can file a claim against their insurance. Depending on whether the driver is entirely or partially at fault for the accident, you may be eligible for compensation from them. A Connecticut car accident attorney with decades of experience in personal injury law and auto accident litigation may be able to help you figure out how you can receive the compensation you deserve.

It may also be the case that both the driver of your vehicle and the driver of the other vehicle are at fault. If so, with the help of a Connecticut car accident lawyer, you may seek to hold both drivers responsible. 

Personal Health Insurance: if you have personal health insurance, you will likely have to use it to pay for the cost of your medical care as Connecticut is not a No-Fault state. However, the cost of your medical bills would be considered for reimbursement as part of your Connecticut Economic Damages claim.  

Contact A Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one was a passenger in a Connecticut car accident, reach out to the experienced Connecticut car accident attorneys at ACK Injury Law. Please visit our website or call us at (860) 754-3222 for a free consultation about your situation.