Oklahoma City Vehicle Passenger Injury Attorneys

Being a safe and responsible driver is a great way to avoid accidents, but it’s not always enough. Many times it’s the "other guy" driving near that we need to look out for. But, what if you’re just a passenger and have no control over the vehicle you’re in? In that case, there may be two "other guys" responsible for your safety. If you’re injured while riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle, it’s important that you take the right steps immediately afterward. Your first step should be to seek medical care, and your second should be to consult an experienced Oklahoma car accident lawyer.

Attorneys at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC have years of experience and will examine your case and advise you of your rights and options. Call today at (405) 705-5050 for a free consultation.

Even if you’re not driving the vehicle you’re injured in, and completely not at fault, you could still find yourself in a situation where you face mounting medical bills, lost wages due to time off of work, the costs of physical therapy and more. Don’t worry, you have options. As a passenger, you can file what is known as a Third Party Insurance Claim.

A third party insurance claim is a claim you make on an insurance policy that is not your own. Depending on which driver is at fault, you have two options. You can file a claim against:

• The insurance policy of the owner or driver of the vehicle you were riding in when the accident occurred, or
• The insurance policy of the owner or driver of another vehicle involved in the accident

Different auto insurance policies carry different amounts of liability coverage. Liability is the amount a policy will pay to an injured party. If the policy of the driver you file a claim against has insufficient liability coverage, you may need to file Multiple Claims.

For example:

You’re riding in your friend Joe’s car when you’re involved in an accident with Mr. X. As a result of the accident, you have $20,000 in medical bills and lose $10,000 from time off of work while you were injured. You believe Mr. X to be at fault and file your claim against him. The problem is that Mr. X only has $15,000 in liability coverage. This leaves you $15,000 short. In such a case, you may file a claim against the policy of the other driver involved in the accident (your friend Joe) for the rest of your expenses.

Deciding settlements in accident cases can take a long time, sometimes years. This is especially true when you’re filing a claim against a policy that is not your own. In the mean time, you’ve got mounting medical bills to pay. In such a case, you can file a claim for medical payments or "med pay." Med pay doesn’t depend on who is determined to be at fault, so these claims are settled faster. Unfortunately, med pay only covers medical expenses, not lost wages, pain and suffering, or any other damages.

As you can see, filing a claim as an injured passenger can be complicated. This is why it’s recommended that you get the counsel of an OKC personal injury lawyer. Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC has represented many accident injury clients and won substantial damages. He will guide you through the claims process and see that you get the financial compensation you deserve. Contact Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC today at (405) 705-5050 to discuss your case.