What to Do If You Are Injured as a Passenger in a Car Accident

If you’re injured as a passenger in a car accident, your priorities should be protecting your health and your right to compensation for your losses. That begins with seeking prompt medical attention and ensuring the crash is properly reported and documented. The claims process can quickly become complex, especially when multiple insurance policies are involved, liability is disputed, or insurers offer low settlements.   

Our team at Rhine Law Firm, P.C. has 30 years of experience standing up to insurance companies and has won millions of dollars for clients. Our team of car accident lawyers knows how to protect your interests as an injured passenger and pursue the full compensation for your losses, including medical bills. 

“Our clients’ best interests are at the forefront of everything we do at Rhine Law Firm, P.C. You can expect our attorneys to give you the personal attention you deserve.”

Immediate Steps to Take as an Injured Passenger 

After a car accident, acting quickly can significantly impact your ability to protect your rights, especially in North Carolina, where contributory negligence laws can bar recovery if you’re found even slightly at fault. Although passengers are rarely considered liable, there are limited situations, such as distracting the driver or knowingly riding with an impaired driver, where a passenger’s own actions could affect their ability to recover damages. 

To protect yourself, take these essential steps: 

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t feel seriously injured.  

• Document the accident by taking photos, noting what happened, and collecting contact and insurance details from all parties involved.  

• Obtain a copy of the police report as soon as it’s available. 

• Avoid giving statements to insurance companies before consulting with an attorney.  

• Organize all your documentation, including medical records, accident reports, insurance information, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, photographs of injuries or property damage, and any written communication with insurers. Keep a record of symptoms and how the injuries affect your daily life, and do not post about the accident or your injuries on social media. 

Once your immediate health and legal needs are addressed, we can help clarify which insurance policies apply and pursue every available source of compensation. 

Seek Compensation Through the Driver’s Insurance Policy 

If the driver of the car you were riding in caused the crash, their liability insurance is typically the first source of compensation. This policy may cover your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, up to the limits of the driver’s policy. If those limits are not enough to fully cover your damages, you may also be able to file a claim under underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. 

UIM coverage provides additional compensation when the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t sufficient. As of July 1, 2025, North Carolina requires all new and renewed auto policies to include both uninsured (UM) and underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage at minimum legal limits. For older policies issued before that date, UIM coverage may still be optional, so it’s important to review your coverage with an attorney. 

Many passengers hesitate to pursue a claim when the at-fault driver is a friend, coworker, or family member. However, remember you are not suing the driver personally. Instead, you are seeking compensation from an insurance policy. 

Pursue a Claim With the Other Driver’s Insurance When They Are at Fault 

If another driver caused the crash, you can pursue a claim through that driver’s liability insurance, which is intended to compensate injured parties for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When both drivers share some responsibility, claims may need to be filed against multiple insurers, which can complicate the process and delay payment. 

These situations often involve disputes between insurance companies about fault or coverage limits. An experienced attorney can manage those complexities on your behalf, ensuring your claim is clearly presented and supported with the right evidence. This helps keep the focus where it belongs, on your recovery, not on back-and-forth between insurers. 

Use Your Own Policy for MedPay, UM, or UIM Benefits 

Even if you weren’t driving, your own auto insurance policy, or that of a household family member, may provide valuable benefits after an accident: 

• Access Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay). MedPay is optional coverage that helps pay for accident-related medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault. It can provide immediate relief while fault is still being determined. However, it is limited to medical costs only; it does not cover lost wages or pain and suffering. 

• Use Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage When No Liability Insurance Exists. As noted, if the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene (as in a hit-and-run), your UM coverage may apply. This benefit can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the responsible driver cannot be identified or lacks insurance. 

• Use Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage When the At-Fault Driver’s Limits Are Too Low. If the at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy limits are too low to cover your full damages, your UIM coverage may help make up the difference. This is especially important in serious injury cases, where treatment costs can quickly exceed North Carolina’s minimum required coverage. 

We can identify all available coverage, communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf, calculate a fair value for your personal injury claim, and prevent mistakes that could jeopardize your financial recovery. 

Schedule a Free Consultation Today 

Being injured as a passenger in a North Carolina car accident brings enough challenges without having to untangle insurance complexities on your own. Our team at Rhine Law Firm, P.C. steps in to investigate liability and advocate for your right to recover for your damages and losses. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

About Us

Rhine Law Firm, P.C. serves clients throughout North Carolina and nationwide, specializing in complex civil litigation led by Joel Rhine. With expertise in personal injury, car accidents, property damage, sex abuse, and more, the firm is passionate about taking on challenging cases. They emphasize providing personalized legal representation, prioritizing their clients’ best interests while offering state-of-the-art legal strategies. Rhine Law Firm’s dedicated attorneys enjoy the fight for justice and are committed to guiding clients through complicated legal processes. The firm offers free consultations, flexible appointment scheduling, and Spanish language services.