As an injured passenger in a motor vehicle accident in Georgia, you may feel confused about your next move. You may not be certain if you are covered by the driver’s insurance policy or your own. If the driver is not insured, it can cause even greater confusion.
Options for passengers injured in a car accident
As a passenger in a car accident, you have options for coverage for your personal injury expenses. Your options include filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, filing a claim through the driver’s policy or filing a claim through your own policy. If the driver happens to be one of the many uninsured motorists on the road, as nearly one in seven drivers is, you can also file a claim through your own uninsured motorist policy.
Filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company
Most states require drivers to carry a minimum car insurance coverage including bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury covers your personal injury from the accident for up to a certain amount of money.
If you were the only one injured in the vehicle, this amount may cover your hospital expenses. If more people were injured, the amount of money allotted to you may not cover all your medical bills.
Filing a claim with the driver’s policy
This is an injured passenger’s best option. As long as the driver has personal injury protection or MedPay on their policy, you can file a claim. Reimbursement for medical expenses is usually paid out quickly.
Filing a claim with your insurance policy
Though often overlooked, filing with your insurance policy is a valid option. If you have PIP and MedPay, you can use these to pay for your medical expenses. The downfall to using your own policy is that you run the risk of having your rates increased.
The aftermath of a car crash can include a long recovery time and extensive medical bills. It may be in your best interest to contact a personal injury attorney for assistance.