Were you recently injured in an accident while riding with your friend? If so, you’re probably in pain, dealing with a stack of bills, and worried about where the money to pay for all that will come from. You might also be worried about the prospect of suing your friend to get it. Fortunately, you likely won’t have to, as an experienced car accident lawyer in Wisconsin can help you pursue other options.

The Role of Insurance in Wisconsin Car Accidents

Car accidents are expensive—so expensive that most of us don’t have the money to pay for them just lying around. That’s why Wisconsin requires drivers to carry insurance to pay for accidents they cause. Insurance policies in the state must provide at least:

  • $25,000 for injuries to one person
  • $50,000 for injuries to multiple people
  • $10,000 for property damage

Drivers can further protect themselves by purchasing optional add-ons, such as medical payments (MedPay) coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.

Who Pays for Your Injuries as a Passenger?

So, whose insurance is responsible for covering your injuries? That depends on who caused the accident. If the other driver is to blame, their policy should pick up the tab, at least up to its limits. Remember that your friend is also covered by that driver’s policy, which means your coverage could be affected by the “injuries to multiple people” limit.

Things get more complicated, though, if your friend was at fault. First, their liability insurance could pay for you, although if occupants of the other vehicle were also hurt, you will all be drawing from the same policy. Your friend may have policy additions that provide additional coverage, such as medical payments, which pay for injuries suffered by the policyholder and anyone else riding in their vehicle.

Note that you will likely not have to sue either your friend or the other driver. That’s what their insurance is for. Furthermore, these insurance providers will step in as the defendant if you do end up needing to file suit against an at-fault motorist. While your friend’s insurance premiums may go up somewhat if they’re to blame for the accident, they likely won’t be personally responsible for paying you.

Compensation You Could Be Owed

If you were injured in a car accident as a passenger, you are likely entitled to money covering your:

  • Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency transport
  • Lost wages and diminished future earning potential
  • Damaged personal property
  • Pain and suffering, including visible scarring/disfigurement
  • Reduced quality of life

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for Passengers

At Atterbury, Kammer & Haag, S.C., we know how confusing it can be to be injured as a passenger. Let us take on your legal case on your behalf so you can focus instead on getting your life back together. Contact us today for a free consultation with our Wisconsin car accident lawyers, and let’s talk about your case in detail.