Nearly everyone is a passenger at some point in their lives.
Unfortunately, traffic crashes injure over two million passengers every year in the United States.
In fact, passenger car occupants make up 35% of all traffic injuries and deaths.
In California, the law entitles passengers injured in traffic accidents to collect compensation for their injuries and related damages. But you may wonder, “How much money can a passenger in a car accident get?”
If you were a passenger in a car accident where the driver or a third party was at fault, you might be entitled to compensation.
How Much Money Can a Passenger in a Car Accident Get?
Drivers who are solely at fault for an accident that harms a passenger are liable for their passenger’s injuries.
The driver’s insurer must pay damages for those injuries up to the policy limits with some exceptions.
California Vehicle Code §16056 requires all drivers to maintain 15/30/5 coverage on all registered vehicles.
This type of insurance provides $15,000 for injury or death to one person. However, some policies have a higher payout.
Several factors will influence your claim’s worth. The first is your medical expenses. The second is your financial losses, including lost wages.
In cases where injuries were minor, an average passenger settlement is about $3,000 for a claim.
Conversely, serious car accidents with more severe damages can warrant up to $1 million for pain and suffering.
An experienced attorney can also help you determine if your auto or health insurance policy offers you other benefits.
Factors that Determine the Amount of Money a Passenger Can Get
Several key factors will determine the value of your passenger injury claim. The extent of your injuries is critical. In general, more severe injuries generally result in higher compensation due to increased medical costs and pain and suffering.
Moreover, your financial losses, including lost wages and any future earning potential, also play a significant role. The clarity of fault in the accident can affect your claim’s value; straightforward liability often leads to higher settlements.
Additionally, the insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver and any applicable third-party policies will impact how much money you can ultimately recover for your injuries and losses as a passenger in a car accident.
A passenger injured by a negligent third party can also bring a claim against that third party. Third-party examples include accidents caused by another driver driving a work vehicle, a damaged road, or a car manufacturing defect.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident or by a third-party rideshare driver, California Vehicle Code 5430 provides that rideshare companies carry $1 million in insurance for death, personal injury, and property damage.
The $1 million in insurance covers claims resulting from the Uber or Lyft driver’s vehicle use from the moment the driver accepts a ride request until the driver completes the transaction on the app or until the ride is complete.
Or, suppose the driver was on the Lyft app looking for a rider match when the accident occurred.
In that case, Lyft insurance coverage contains a contingency policy that includes $100,000 in bodily injury and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
And if the driver had a rider in the vehicle during the accident, Lyft coverage includes $1,250,000.00 in third-party liability for accidents.
Recent Car Accident Settlement
The Case: Our client was involved in a T-bone accident in which a 17-year-old driver ran a stop sign. A well-known firm that advertises on buses, billboards, radios, and TV Stations decided that our client did not have a winnable case after representing him for 5 months. They dropped his case and he came to us. Within 7 months, we were able to settle with the insurance company for the full policy limits of $250,000 plus a personal contribution from the other party of $3,000 for a total settlement of $253,000.
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that testimonials or reviews do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter, as the facts and circumstances of each case differ.
How to Secure the Compensation You Deserve as a Passenger
If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a car accident, understanding your rights and the potential compensation you could receive is crucial. Don’t navigate this challenging time alone.
Contact Weinberg Law Offices today for a free consultation and let our experienced legal team help you get the passenger injury compensation you deserve. Call us now at 818-697-1079 or fill out our online form to get started.
Disclaimer: This content should not be construed as legal advice.
As a personal injury attorney, my mantra is that there is no such thing as a “small case”. I will give 100% matter how big or small a case may be. I am fluent in English, Hebrew, and Spanish, languages which I use regularly in my practice.
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