If you were the passenger in a vehicle where the driver has caused an accident and you were injured, you have rights that you should know about. Here are four rights to understand to ensure that your injuries are not overlooked in the situation:

1. The Right to be Compensated:  First off, as a passenger, you should know that you have a right to be compensated for your injuries. After all, you were not the cause of the accident and were instead an innocent bystander. Since you have the right to be compensated for your injuries, you should always see a doctor after an accident has occurred even if you have no noticeable injuries at the time. You never know when injuries can suddenly make an appearance and if you wait, the insurance company isn't going to take your injuries as seriously.
2. The Right to Sue: When you ask for compensation, you must be aware that you are asking the driver's insurance company, not the driver. If the driver is a close friend or family member, it may seem uncomfortable that you are pursuing compensation from them. However, this is not the case. If you must sue for your compensation, you are suing the insurance company, not your friend or family member. 
3. The Right to Insist on Making a Claim: If the driver does not want to file a claim and instead says that they will pay for your medical expenses out of pocket, you should insist that they file a claim. You can call the police to file a report and report it to the driver's insurance company. The reason the driver may not want to file a claim is because they don't want their insurance rates to go up. However, you shouldn't trust that they will pay for your medical expenses out of pocket, especially if they are concerned about a small increase in their insurance rates. 
4. The Right to Receive Compensation from All Parties: If the car accident involved another vehicle and it is challenging to determine which vehicle was truly at fault, you will want to have a car accident attorney by your side who can insist on compensation from both parties. These cases can become complicated and it can be difficult to determine which insurance company should pay for what. This is why you want an attorney who can determine and negotiate on what these costs should be. 

When you know some of your rights as the passenger involved in a car accident, you will know what to do in order to actively pursue compensation for your injuries. For more information, contact a company like True Guarnieri Ayer LLP.