Motor vehicle accidents can be particularly difficult for unsuspecting passengers. The crash can result in debilitating injuries and emotional trauma.
After a collision, passengers have the right to pursue compensation.
Responsibilities of passengers after an accident
After an accident, the law mandates that the involved drivers remain at the scene. Once vehicles are in a safe location, the drivers must verify any damage to the vehicles or their occupants. Even though the law does not explicitly state a passenger must remain at the scene, it is usually in a passenger’s interest to stick around.
If an officer must visit the crash site, the passenger’s story can help establish the facts. Additionally, a passenger’s first responsibility is to themself. A vehicle occupant should determine any physical harm that resulted from an accident. Delaying medical attention can raise questions about the cause of an injury and may hinder a person from claiming damages.
Compensation for passengers
Tennessee is a fault state, meaning at-fault parties and their insurance must pay compensation for negligence after an accident. Sometimes, a passenger can pursue a claim with the insurance companies of both drivers and receive the maximum amount. Passengers who have auto insurance might pursue a claim with their own company when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little coverage.
Damages for a passenger could be economic or noneconomic. Economic damages cover specific monetary losses, such as medical bills or lost wages. Noneconomic damages are immeasurable losses with no clear monetary value, such as disfigurement, loss of capacity to enjoy life and suffering.
Injured passengers may struggle with the aftereffects of an accident for a long time. Seeking compensation from the responsible parties offers a way to make a person whole again.