WHAT ARE PASSENGER’S RIGHTS IN CAR ACCIDENT? – MN LAWYER
Our attorneys handle car accident cases for the passenger in the collision. The first question the lawyer usually gets is: What are my rights when I was a passenger in a car involved in a car crash?
The second question the lawyer usually gets is, what are my rights when I was a passenger and the driver of the car I was in was at fault? This issue can come up if you are a passenger in a friend’s car. In many cases, our client is a passenger in a car driven by their mother or father or other relative. Likewise, if you are driving your child and cause an accident, your insurance is responsible. Injury accidents to a passenger can happen in a one car accident, or even where a car hits a deer.
MEDICAL BILLS AND OTHER COMPENSATION FOR A PASSENGER IN A CAR ACCIDENT
Your first rights when you are a passenger injured in a car crash come from Minnesota’s No-Fault law. MN’s No-Fault law requires that your medical bills and lost wages get paid by YOUR automobile insurance. Your auto insurance pays regardless of who caused the accident. In fact, your insurance pays even if you did not own one of the cars involved in the collision.
What if you did not own an insured vehicle at the time of the accident? In that case, your No-Fault insurance coverage will come from a family member you live with who owns an insured vehicle. If you don’t live with someone who owns an insured vehicle, then the No-Fault coverage comes from the vehicle you were in at the time of the accident. (If the car you were in is not insured, you may still be entitled to No-Fault coverage through Minnesota’s Assigned Risk Plan.) For more information on No-Fault coverage, see our No-Fault insurance page. You can also call us and an experienced lawyer will explain a passenger’s rights after a car accident.
CAN A PASSENGER IN A CAR ACCIDENT SUE THE DRIVER OR SUE THE OTHER VEHICLE’S INSURANCE FOR INJURIES?
No-Fault Coverage is just the beginning of the passenger’s benefits. You will also be entitled to compensation from the insurance for the owner and driver of the car that was at fault in causing the accident. You can get compensation even if the driver of the car you were in was at fault. Also, even if you are related to the driver. This additional compensation pays for medical bills beyond the No-Fault coverage. Also, additional wage loss, future medical bills and lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Even if you are a passenger in a car driven by your mother or father, or the driver is your husband or wife, or other relative, their auto insurance will compensate you if the car accident was their fault. This is true even if you live with them at the time of the crash. This does not necessarily mean you will have to sue the driver of the car. Our top auto accident attorneys often settle cases with the insurance company without the need for a lawsuit.
If you are a passenger on a motorcycle, you have rights as well. There are some limitations on when and how you can bring a claim for compensation. Therefore, when you call our office, an experienced car accident attorney will explain the MN legal requirements to you. Motorcycle passengers injured in accidents can bring a claim against the driver of the bike they were on as well as the car that hit them.
UNINSURED CAR – PASSENGER STILL HAS RIGHT TO COMPENSATION
If the car accident was the other driver’s fault but that driver is uninsured, the passenger may have the right to Uninsured benefits from the vehicle they were in. In addition, your own automobile insurance, or the insurance of a relative they live with can provide coverage. If you were a passenger injured in a car accident in Minnesota, you are welcome to call us. One of our top lawyers will provide you with a free consultation and help you determine if you qualify for this type of insurance under MN law.
The insurance coverage issues can be complicated. Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin are Minnesota personal injury lawyers with over 25 years’ experience successfully helping people injured in a car accident. We have handled hundreds of personal injury cases, including many involving passengers injured in car accidents. You are welcome to call us anytime for a free consultation with an attorney. We will discuss your case with you and explain your rights more fully.
We have offices to meet you in Minneapolis, Woodbury, Edina, and St. Louis Park. Our lawyers also meet people at their homes in St. Paul, Roseville, Apple Valley, and Lakeville. Also, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Maple Grove, Rogers, and other areas throughout Minnesota.