What can be covered
Many people have misconceptions about what one can and can't claim when you have a personal injury, and just how much you can expect to get financially for the injury incurred. We'll try and cover all the basics here, and provide you with some examples of the range of damages that different claims can achieve.
All claimants are entitled to damages for the personal losses suffered as a result of the accident, which will include damage to clothing and personal possessions, loss of earnings and any insurance policy excess. If you have been personally injured in a road accident and your vehicle is off the road for then you can also request a hire car in your claim.
Often, you will be covered for the personal pain and suffering endured as a result of the accident. You can also cover future losses, for example an inability to carry on with your work, loss of future promotion prospects, and an inability to participate in sports. Solicitors always split the payment you could receive into categories called General and Special Damage claims.
If injured as a passenger in a car or in a motorbike incident, then you may have a claim and you should proceed, no matter who the actual driver of the vehicle was, even if you know them.
You should not be concerned by the fact that you may know or are related to the driver - this must be of no consequence. You may be embarrassed about bringing a claim, but you shouldn't be. If the driver of the vehicle you were in was not at fault, then your claim will be against the other third party responsible. If your vehicle's driver was partly or wholly at fault then the case will be handled his or her insurers, so they will not be paying you themselves at all.
Always remember that the driver of your vehicle owes you a legal duty of care to ensure that you are at all times reasonably safe. The same legal principle applies to other drivers. If this duty is breached and you are injured then you may well have a claim that can be made.
Passengers have legal rights, just as drivers do. Be sure to make a note of any injuries, no matter how superficial they may seem. They could be worsening later with more serious complications which set in.