Understanding Your Rights as a Passenger in a Car Accident in Albuquerque

In Albuquerque, passengers who were injured in a car accident often have many legal rights. These include several potential paths to financial recovery for their property damage and injuries. If you were injured while riding in a vehicle, understanding your rights as a passenger in a car accident in Albuquerque is important. Berenson & Associates, PC, can explain your passenger rights and how to use them after your accident.

Your Rights as a Passenger in an Albuquerque Car Accident

Passengers typically have substantial recovery rights. As a passenger, you may have additional insurance coverage that’s not always available to the injured driver. If a driver can seek reimbursement for damages from their own policy, you can also typically stack your own insurance coverage to cover your injuries as well.

You have the right to seek financial recovery for your injuries and property damage. In New Mexico, you can typically claim damages for your medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering, and more.

Are Accidents Involving Passengers Common?

Vehicle accidents are everyday occurrences across the United States. These accidents result in serious injuries and, sometimes, fatalities. In 2019, 2,563 people were unfortunately killed while riding as a passenger in a vehicle. By 2021, this number surged, and there were 6,257 passengers killed while riding in vehicles.

In 2022, statistics show 5.2 million total injuries in the U.S. requiring medical interventions after an accident. Passengers riding in vehicles can often get hurt, which is why it’s important to consult a trusted attorney if you’ve been in an accident as a passenger.

What About Rideshare Passengers?

Although you might normally ride in a vehicle driven by a friend or relative, you also could be a passenger in a rideshare vehicle. Rideshare drivers routinely drive up to 13% of all miles driven in some U.S. cities.

Rideshare accidents don’t always result in reliable data for accident statistics, as those drivers typically use their personal vehicles, and accidents are reported like any other vehicle accident. However, driver status has a major role in determining insurance coverage for victims.

How Does Insurance Coverage Help Passenger Victims?

There are usually a few different insurance coverage options for an injured passenger. To recover compensation for an accident, the passenger typically needs to evaluate all their potential coverage.

For a rideshare passenger whose driver has accepted their ride request or is actively transporting them, the rideshare company’s accident insurance usually covers injuries and property damage caused by the driver. Thus, if you’re a passenger in a rideshare accident, the status of your driver can impact insurance coverage.

For a victim riding as a passenger in any vehicle that’s not a rideshare vehicle, it’s important to identify all the potential insurance coverage for your claim. An attorney can pursue all avenues of recovery through insurance coverage to maximize your recovery.

It can be awkward to pursue a claim for an accident that happened while riding with a family member or friend, but you still deserve compensation for your recovery. It might help to know that the claim is against their insurance company and not directly against them.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Case?

A knowledgeable attorney can provide assistance with a passenger claim. They can negotiate settlements, investigate the underlying accident, and gather evidence to bolster your claim. When you want to obtain compensation for your passenger accident, consulting an attorney is an important first step.

FAQs

Q: How Can I Make a Claim as a Passenger in an Albuquerque Car Accident?

A: To file a claim as a passenger in an Albuquerque car accident, it’s important to report the accident to your insurance company. However, before speaking with the insurance company (yours or the at-fault party’s), consider consulting an attorney. They can handle communications with the insurers, as these companies will try to make you say something that could be construed as accepting fault. An attorney can help with filing a formal legal claim as well, especially if you have severe injuries or liability is in dispute.

Q: What’s the Statute of Limitations to File a Claim for a Car Accident in Albuquerque?

A: In Albuquerque, the statute of limitations deadline to file a claim for a car accident is three years from the date of the accident. This deadline exists to make sure claims are quickly filed, before evidence might become difficult to find or get lost.

It’s important to promptly file your claim and contact an attorney quickly to preserve your right to financial recovery. If you’re too late with your claim, you might be prevented from pursuing any recovery.

Q: What Are Some Common Injuries Sustained by Passengers in Car Accidents?

A: Each case is different, but there are some common injuries sustained by passengers, including:

• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Chest injuries
• Lacerations
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

If you were a passenger injured in a recent car accident in Albuquerque, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your injuries and property damage.

Q: What Type of Attorney Can Protect My Passenger Rights as a Victim of a Car Accident?

A: If you were a passenger in a car accident, it’s important to seek help from an experienced personal injury attorney with substantial experience in handling car accident claims. A licensed attorney can guide you throughout the claims process. They can also negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies and maximize the compensation you receive.

If you’re considering a specific attorney, discuss their experience in handling claims like yours at an initial consultation.

Contact Berenson & Associates, PC – Trusted Albuquerque Passenger Accident Injury Lawyers

If you were injured while riding in a car when someone else caused an accident, Berenson & Associates, PC, can discuss what happened and establish liability. Our firm can protect your passenger rights.

Visit us anytime to discuss your passenger rights after a car wreck. Our firm is located along Route 66 in spectacular Downtown Albuquerque. You’ll find I-40 and I-25 just a few miles away, and our office has plenty of convenient parking for clients.

Contact our team right away to set up your initial client consultation after your car accident.