In Oklahoma personal injury cases, car accident passenger injury claims are covered by insurance. As a passenger in a car accident, you might face life-altering injuries. Even minor car accidents can cause severe injuries to passengers wearing seatbelts. You can be jarred around the inside of the car and suffer from severe whiplash-type injuries. An airbag could protect you from dying; however, being hit in the face by an exploding airbag can still cause facial fractures, bruising, and burns. These are just some examples of the pain and agony that you might suffer as a passenger.
You might be wondering about the coverage that might apply to you as a passenger, including how you can obtain compensation from those who caused your injuries, damages, or losses. Kania Law Office explains the answer below.
Who’s Responsible If You’re Injured As A Passenger?
In a one-car accident, the driver of the car you were riding in should be held responsible. The insurance policy on the vehicle you were driving should cover your damages, injuries, or losses.
If more than one vehicle was involved, whichever driver was the cause of the crash should be responsible. In some crashes, there could be more than one driver who is at least partially responsible. The more people who are at least partially at fault, the more insurance policies could be available to cover your injuries.
Suppose the insurance policies of the at-fault vehicles in the accident do not cover the extent of your serious injuries. A third option is to file a claim under your automobile policy even though your vehicle was not involved in the crash. This may not be possible in every case and will depend upon what type of insurance you have (e.g. uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage).
Finally, anyone who is at fault can be sued in their personal capacity for anything not covered by an insurance company.
Oklahoma Minimum Liability Coverage
Under Oklahoma law, every vehicle using the roads and highways must be insured and carry minimum liability coverage. This means that if the driver is at fault and causes a car or truck crash, their liability coverage will be available to cover any injuries that might have occurred in the accident. Unfortunately, the minimum liability coverage in Oklahoma is just:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one individual, which can include a passenger;
- $50,000 for injury or death of two or more individuals in one accident, which includes passengers; and
- $25,000 for property damage in one accident.
These are minimum amounts, but car owners can purchase greater amounts of coverage if they choose. Critically, as a passenger, if you suffer severe injuries that may last a long time or even a lifetime, a mere $25,000 will not even come close to adequately compensating you. This is why you should protect yourself in advance by having adequate insurance coverage.
Car Accident Passenger Injury Lawyers
Being injured as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident is a horrific situation. You need an experienced accident lawyer in your corner to ensure that you are in the best position to be compensated. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Kania Law Office are dedicated to fighting for victims of on the road accidents. We will help you find out who is at fault for your injuries and will aggressively pursue all remedies against them. For a free consultation, contact us by calling (918) 743-2233 or contacting us online.
Tulsa's Local Personal Injury Lawyers
Are you looking for Tulsa attorneys who will fight aggressively for you? Our team of personal injury attorneys have the experience needed in Oklahoma law to secure the outcome you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation 918-743-2233 or contact us online.