If you get injured in a car crash and it wasn’t your fault, you may want to pursue compensation so that you can pay your medical bills and other expenses. Some passengers who get hurt do not realize that this is an option for them. If you were riding in the passenger seat of a car, you may be able to make an insurance claim or sue for damages. Our Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers are ready to offer you a case consultation and tell you how to claim maximum compensation.
When Can a Passenger Sue For Damages?
If a passenger is seriously injured and they believe that someone else is to blame for the accident that caused them harm, they can sue for damages. They can sue the driver of the vehicle that they were in or they can sue the driver of another vehicle.
It can be tough to get a fair compensation offer from an insurance company, which is why it can be helpful to have a lawyer on your side, ready to negotiate on your behalf. We can help you fight for damages that make up for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
Should an Injured Passenger Talk to the Insurance Companies?
Talking to any insurance company on your own can be tough. If you are suing for damages, we recommend doing the talking through your lawyer. Even if you think that the conversation with an insurer is just a neutral recap of the events, you could make missteps that the insurance company can use against you. They will look for anything that they can to discredit your claim.
Insurers have all sorts of ways to try and get out of paying compensation. If you sue another driver, their insurer will try to claim that they did nothing wrong. If you sue the driver of the car you were in, they might try to claim that you did something to distract your driver. In extreme cases, they can even say that they suspect fraud and that you and your driver are trying to score some easy money after a fender bender. This is why it can be helpful to have a lawyer who can help you push back on any accusations while building a convincing case.
How Long Does a Passenger Have to Sue After a Crash?
This can depend on where the accident occurs. If you plan to sue for damages in Washington, D.C. the statute of limitations is three years. Maryland has the same limitations. Virginia actually gives accident victims one less year to sue with a statute of limitations lasting just two years.
It can seem like you have a long time to pursue legal action, but this time can pass by surprisingly quickly. Seriously consider talking to a lawyer as soon as you can if you think that you’ll want to sue for damages.
Talk to a Lawyer
So if you were hurt in a car crash, we want to hear from you whether you were a driver or a passenger. Contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal options today.