Most of the time when we talk about car accidents, we picture the two drivers involved and try to determine which driver was at fault. But drivers are not the only ones who can be injured in an accident—many involve passengers, and passengers have the same rights as any other accident victim.
In Georgia, if you are a passenger in a car that’s involved in an accident, you can recover all of your costs, including:
- Medical treatment
- Medication
- Rehabilitative therapy and ongoing care
- Missed wages
The law says you have this same right no matter which driver caused the accident. For example, imagine your friend was driving you home and he suddenly changes lanes with no signal, causing an accident. He may be you friend, but you do not share any of the fault in the accident. You can file an insurance claim for 100% of your costs.
Who pays for the passenger’s costs?
Normally neither driver will have to pay anything out of pocket. In Georgia, all car owners are required to carry insurance, and your costs will be paid by the insurance policy of the driver who was at fault. This is why we encourage you to file a claim even if the driver was someone you know. This applies equally to all car accidents including head on collisions, rear end collisions, distracted driving and any other kind of accident.
Have you been involved in an accident? John Foy & Associates offers a free consultation with some of the most experienced and respected personal injury lawyers in Georgia. Fill out the form to your right or call us at 404-400-4000 to get your FREE consultation today.
