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You don’t expect to get hurt just by riding in someone else’s car. One moment you’re on your way to work, school, or home, and the next, you’re in the middle of a collision: injured, overwhelmed, and wondering who’s responsible for your medical bills. It’s a stressful situation, but legally, passengers are often in one of the strongest positions.
That’s because passengers are rarely, if ever, considered at fault for a crash. In New York, that gives you multiple options to seek compensation, whether it’s through the driver of your vehicle, another at-fault driver, or your own insurance benefits.
Learn what rights you have as an injured passenger and how our experienced Syracuse car accident attorneys can help you recover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.
Who Can You File a Claim Against as a Passenger?
New York law allows passengers to pursue compensation through several possible channels. Your options depend on who was at fault and the type of insurance coverage available.
Possible sources include:
| Claim Type | Who It’s Filed Against | When It Applies |
| Driver of Your Vehicle | The person operating the car you were in | If their negligence, like speeding or distracted driving, caused the crash |
| Other Driver(s) | The drivers of other vehicles involved | When another motorist’s actions led to or contributed to the collision |
| Your Own Insurance (PIP) | Your own auto policy, or that of a household family member | Provides benefits regardless of who caused the crash |
In many situations, passengers may be eligible to file more than one claim. A qualified Syracuse car accident attorney can review your case and help you understand every option for compensation.
How New York’s No-Fault System Protects Passengers
New York is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that after most crashes, each person’s own insurance covers certain expenses (regardless of who caused the accident). As a passenger, this gives you immediate access to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
PIP covers your medical bills, your rides to appointments, and even part of your lost income if you can’t work. You don’t have to prove fault to receive these benefits, and they apply whether you were in a private car, rideshare vehicle, or even a friend’s car.
Typically, you file a PIP claim with the insurer of the vehicle you were riding in, though in some cases, your own policy may apply instead.
No-fault coverage gets you medical help without waiting for a liability investigation. However, it does not compensate you for pain and suffering or long-term losses. To recover those damages, you must file a separate claim against the at-fault party.
Types of Compensation Available to Injured Passengers
If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, such as a permanent limitation or disfigurement, you may pursue additional compensation beyond PIP. These damages can include several categories of loss.
Third-party settlements cover damages such as:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and long-term treatment needs
- Lost Income and Future Earning Capacity: Payment for the wages you missed while recovering and any future income you lose because of lasting injuries
- Pain and Suffering: Reflects the physical and emotional impact of your injuries, including chronic pain and diminished quality of life
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: Additional compensation for injuries that alter your appearance, mobility, or ability to live independently
This compensation supports your long-term recovery. However, it’s common for passengers to hesitate to take legal action, especially if the at-fault driver is someone they know.
Addressing Common Passenger Concerns
After an accident, many passengers stay silent about their injuries because they don’t want to cause trouble for the driver. But staying quiet can leave you dealing with medical bills and lost wages on your own. Filing a claim isn’t about blaming someone; it’s about making sure you get the care, support, and financial help you need to recover.
Here’s what you need to know:
- You’re Not Suing Your Friend or Relative: If the driver you were with caused the accident, your claim is handled by their insurance, not paid out of their own pocket.
- You Still Have Rights if You Weren’t Wearing a Seatbelt: Not wearing a seatbelt doesn’t take away your right to compensation. It might reduce the amount you can recover, but it doesn’t prevent you from filing a claim. What matters most is that someone else’s negligence caused the crash.
- You’re Protected Even if the Driver Was Uninsured: If the vehicle didn’t have valid insurance, you still have options. You may qualify for coverage through your own uninsured motorist policy or through New York’s Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), which helps injured passengers when no other coverage is available.
We understand that these situations can be uncomfortable. That’s why our team at Catalano Law guides you through the claims process and makes sure everything is handled fairly for everyone involved.
Win Fair Compensation After an Injury Collision
Car accidents are scary in any situation, but when you are a passenger, the aftermath can feel especially unfair. You didn’t cause the crash, yet you’re left with injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about what to do next.
Our experienced Syracuse car accident attorneys help injured passengers pursue the full compensation they’re entitled to under state law. We know when to pursue claims against at-fault drivers and how to prove serious injuries to maximize your settlement.
If you were hurt as a passenger in a car accident, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
