[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-you-are-a-passenger-injured-in-a-car-accident\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-you-are-a-passenger-injured-in-a-car-accident\/","headline":"What Happens If You Are A Passenger Injured In A Car Accident in Georgia?","name":"What Happens If You Are A Passenger Injured In A Car Accident in Georgia?","description":"As\u00a0car accident attorneys, we frequently discuss the needs of Georgia drivers seeking compensation for injuries in car crashes they did not cause. But passengers are injured in car accidents every day as well. An injured passenger may wonder what insurance they should turn to for assistance with the...","datePublished":"2024-04-26","dateModified":"2025-11-04","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/#Person","name":"Ken Bernard","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/passenger-injury.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/passenger-injury.jpg","height":711,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-you-are-a-passenger-injured-in-a-car-accident\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oagrtTo7l5A#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oagrtTo7l5A","name":"Should I Give My Own Insurance a Recorded Statement After an Accident in Georgia?","description":"For more about car accident cases, visit:  https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/should-i-give-a-recorded-statement\/\n__________________________________\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/oagrtTo7l5A\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/oagrtTo7l5A\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/oagrtTo7l5A\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/oagrtTo7l5A\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/oagrtTo7l5A\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2024-04-26T18:42:02+00:00","duration":"PT1M54S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oagrtTo7l5A","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oagrtTo7l5A#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oagrtTo7l5A#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oagrtTo7l5A&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oagrtTo7l5A#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":28}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oagrtTo7l5A#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":1}]},"about":["Auto Accident"],"wordCount":1093,"articleBody":"As\u00a0car accident attorneys, we frequently discuss the needs of Georgia drivers seeking compensation for injuries in car crashes they did not cause. But passengers are injured in car accidents every day as well. An injured passenger may wonder what insurance they should turn to for assistance with the medical costs they face after a car accident.How a passenger might be compensated for injuries suffered in a car accident depends on who is ultimately found responsible for the crash. But even in a seemingly clear-cut case, the insurance companies involved might have other ideas about their obligations.In Douglasville and Metro Atlanta, the\u00a0Georgia personal injury attorneys of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can help you sort out who should be held accountable after a car accident. A passenger hurt in an accident may need to file multiple injury claims to obtain justice.Identifying the Driver at Fault for Your Personal Injury ClaimIn Georgia car accidents, the driver of a vehicle is responsible for their passengers. In legal language, drivers on Georgia roads are required to exercise reasonable care to avoid endangering others on the road, including people in their vehicles.Acting carelessly or negligently in violation of the public duty makes the driver liable if they cause an accident and someone is injured.\u00a0Georgia\u2019s civil laws\u00a0allow the injured to seek specific compensation for their injuries.In most car accidents, anyone injured in the crash would seek compensation from the driver at fault, which is typically paid through the driver\u2019s auto liability insurance.Georgia drivers are required to carry liability insurance that, at a minimum, provides bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, as well as property damage coverage of $25,000 per accident. Drivers also may buy insurance that provides higher amounts of coverage.To obtain compensation, you must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the insurance company that their policyholder was at fault for the accident that caused your injuries. If an insurance adjuster disputes your initial claim, you\u2019ll need evidence, such as a police report and witness statements.If you cannot convince the insurance company to pay you, you may file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawsuit sets out your demands for compensation and your evidence as to why the defendant should be compelled to pay you. There are legal requirements for filing a lawsuit. It\u2019s best to have a personal injury attorney\u2019s assistance.An experienced personal injury attorney has the resources to conduct a thorough accident investigation. Your attorney will finance the investigation and other costs of your accident claim as part of a contingency fee arrangement. Under this type of arrangement, your attorney receives an agreed-upon percentage of any amount of money recovered as the fee. The attorney does not charge a fee if they do not recover compensation for their client.If the driver at fault is the \u201cother driver,\u201d you\u2019ll probably have no hesitation seeking compensation from them. If the driver you were riding with caused the accident, you may feel different about a claim or lawsuit against a friend or relative. You should keep in mind that this is the purpose of liability insurance. Accidents happen, and insurance covers people hurt in accidents.In some cases, both drivers involved bear some blame for an accident, and claims against both of them may be appropriate. There may also be a third party liable for the accident, such as an establishment that\u00a0served alcohol to an underage driver\u00a0or an employer responsible for someone driving as part of their job duties.Does My Car Insurance Cover Me As A Passenger In Another Car in GA?In addition to liability insurance, Georgia drivers may buy uninsured\/underinsured motorist coverage (UM\/UIM), which provides protection for victims of car accidents caused by drivers who don\u2019t have auto insurance or who don\u2019t have enough insurance to cover losses in the accident.A person injured as a passenger in a car accident might hold UM\/UIM coverage, which he or she may turn to obtain some compensation for medical bills that exceed the limits of the at-fault driver\u2019s insurance. UM\/UIM coverage is also available after a hit-and-run accident. An injured passenger might also have health insurance, which can pay medical costs.If a lawsuit against the at-fault driver is successful, your health insurance company may legally demand to be repaid. This is known as \u201csubrogation of a claim.\u201dIf you do not file a claim against the at-fault driver, your insurer could decide to sue the other driver\u2019s insurance. Your insurer would weigh whether the amount of expenses paid on your behalf was sufficient to make it worthwhile to try to recoup the expenses from the at-fault driver\u2019s insurer.What to Do After A Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault in GeorgiaLiability for a car accident is not always clear. There are steps to take to protect your rights after a car crash:Get medical care \u2013\u00a0You should see a doctor as soon as possible for your physical and mental well-being. Getting treatment promptly after a crash also documents your injuries and that they occurred in the accident.Follow doctor\u2019s orders \u2013\u00a0Failing to follow doctor\u2019s orders or keep follow-up appointments could be seen as evidence that you were not badly injured and do not deserve compensation.Get evidence \u2013\u00a0Photos from the accident scene and witness contact information may help prove your claim. Get a copy of the police report. Save any documentation of your injuries, treatment and time out of work.Be wary of insurance adjusters \u2013\u00a0If you hear from an insurance company, be careful what you do or say. You are not required to speak with another driver\u2019s insurance company. Do not give a recorded statement or answer questions about your injuries. Don\u2019t trust a settlement offer. No matter how good it sounds, it is probably too low.Speak with an attorney \u2013\u00a0A car accident lawyer can assess your claim during a free initial legal consultation and advise you how to proceed. If you have a claim, a law firm has the resources necessary to secure the damages you deserve.\ufeffTalk To A Douglasville, GA, Car Accident LawyerThe injury attorneys at\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., have helped victims of auto accidents recover millions of dollars in compensation. Let us apply our experience and determination to pursuing a claim for you. Call us or visit our contact page now to get started.Visit Our Douglasville Car Accident Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Happens If You Are A Passenger Injured In A Car Accident in Georgia?","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-you-are-a-passenger-injured-in-a-car-accident\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]