Thousands of passengers are injured in auto accidents every year. In fact, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 22,812 passengers were injured in auto accidents in 2011 alone. Like other victims of negligence, an injured passenger may be entitled to money damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the negligent motorist, whether the passenger’s driver or another negligent motorist.
Injured passengers are often confused about their rights and may be unsure of what to do following an auto accident.
What to Do If Injured as a Passenger in an Illinois Auto Accident
- Get medical attention. Some injuries, like whiplash takes several hours or days to develop symptoms, so you may wish to seek medical attention after an auto accident even if you show no visible signs of injury.
- Obtain the contact information of all other parties to the auto accident, including the name of any other motorists involved in the accident. If you were a passenger in a taxicab accident, you should obtain the name of the cab driver, the affiliated cab company, and any other motorist
s or pedestrians.
- Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses to the auto accident.
- Take photos of the accident scene.
- Retain all medical receipts and maintain complete medical records.
- Consult with an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Because passengers are often unaware of the all of the circumstances surrounding the accident, determining liability can be difficult. An experienced auto accident lawyer will launch a comprehensive factual investigation into the auto accident in order to determine potential sources of liability and obtain the necessary evidence. Moreover, personal injury lawsuits have strict a statute of limitations during which time the lawsuit can be filed so it is important to understand your legal rights, file necessary legal documents, and begin a comprehensive factual investigation as soon as possible.
