Any occupant of a vehicle, driver or passenger, can become injured during a Manhattan Beach car accident. If you were injured in a Manhattan Beach car accident while riding as a passenger, California state law gives you the right to seek compensation for the damages and losses caused by your injuries.
Common Car Accident Injuries
These injuries can range from mild to severe to fatal. Common car accident injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Deep cuts
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
- Muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries.
- Internal organ injuries
- Crush injuries
Damages Resulting From a Manhattan Beach Car Accident
There are many types of damages an injured passenger can experience as a result of a car accident in Manhattan Beach:
- Lost wages
- Loss of employment
- Current medical expenses
- Anticipated medical expense (ongoing treatment, therapy, medical devices, and long-term care)
- Pain and suffering
What to Do Immediately Following Your Accident
There are steps you need to take immediately following an accident to ensure you get the total compensation you are due for your injuries:
- Make sure everyone is okay.
- Contact the police. Call 911 if necessary.
- Exchange contact information with everyone involved in the accident.
- Gather evidence at the accident scene, including pictures and the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you were hurt. You could be injured and not realize it.
- Obtain a police report.
- Speak to an attorney.
Seeking Compensation for Accident-Related Injuries
You can seek compensation for your injuries by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. California is a comparative fault state, which means that it’s possible for multiple parties to share responsibility for a car accident. (Passengers are almost never at-fault in a car accident unless they do something to disrupt the driver’s ability to drive safely, such as grabbing the steering wheel.) This means there could be several options when it comes to filing a claim:
- The driver of the vehicle you were riding in.
- The driver of the other vehicle.
- Both drivers.
- If one of the drivers was on the job when the accident occurred, their employer may share liability for the accident.
- If the accident was the result of debris left on the road by a city, county, or state road work crew, you can file a claim with the responsible government entity.
- If the accident was caused by a defective part, such as a brake or tire, the part’s manufacturer may also share liability for the accident.
- Depending on the terms of your policy, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Determining who is to blame and by what amount can be difficult. Many people in this situation turn to an experienced Manhattan Beach auto accident attorney for professional legal advice.
A personal injury attorney can assist you in many ways. They’ll be able to assemble the evidence needed to establish who was at fault in your accident and by how much. They can help you identify your total damages and determine a dollar amount that adequately compensates you for all your accident-related losses. Most importantly, they’ll be able to effectively negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault driver(s) insurance company and if necessary, represent you in court.
How Much Compensation Can Passengers in a Car Accident Get?
How much you’ll be able to collect after an accident depends on many factors, including the cash limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, the extent of your injuries, and the skills of your attorney. Who you choose to represent you could be one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life.
Manhattan Beach car accident attorney Scott Dinsmore has been protecting the rights of clients injured in a wide range of motor vehicle accidents for more than 25 years. His experience, skills, and resources have enabled Scott to recover hundreds of millions in settlements for his clients.
Contact the Law Offices of Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Attorney Scott Dinsmore Today
You only have a limited time in which to file a personal injury claim after a Manhattan Beach car accident. If you wait too long, the courts may refuse to hear your case. You can contact the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore through our website or call us at (310) 318-1220 to schedule a free consultation with a leading Manhattan Beach personal injury attorney. We handle car accident claims on a contingency basis, which means there are no up-front charges and we don’t get paid until we recover compensation for you.
Call Us: 