SERIOUS ATTORNEYS FOR SERIOUS INJURIES
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Being a passenger in a car crash puts you in one of the most vulnerable positions on the road. You had no control over the vehicle. You made no driving decisions. Yet you can end up with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an insurance process that feels designed to confuse you. If you were hurt as a passenger in a Denton car accident, Texas law gives you real options, and the personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys are ready to help you use them.
Table of Contents
- Why Passengers Have Strong Legal Rights in Texas Car Accident Cases
- Who Can Be Held Liable When a Passenger Gets Hurt
- Common Injuries Passengers Suffer in Denton Car Accidents
- How Texas Insurance Rules Affect Your Passenger Injury Claim
- What Compensation Can a Passenger Injury Claim Include in Texas
- Steps to Take After You Are Injured as a Passenger in Denton
- FAQs About Passenger Injury Claims After a Car Accident in Denton
Why Passengers Have Strong Legal Rights in Texas Car Accident Cases
As a passenger, you almost never bear any fault for a crash. You were not driving. You were not distracted. You were not speeding. That matters enormously under Texas law. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, a claimant cannot recover damages only if their percentage of responsibility exceeds 50 percent. Since passengers rarely share any fault at all, this rule almost always works in your favor. Your claim starts from a position of strength that most other accident victims simply do not have.
Texas roads make this issue very real. According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2024 Crash Facts Report, a reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds in Texas during 2024, and those crashes killed 4,150 people and injured 251,977 others across the state. A significant portion of those injured were passengers who had no say in what happened. Whether the crash happened on I-35 near the UNT campus, on University Drive cutting through central Denton, or on Loop 288 near the Golden Triangle Mall, the outcome for an injured passenger can be devastating.
Texas also requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. That sounds like a lot until you factor in a serious injury, an emergency room visit, surgery, and weeks off work. When multiple passengers are hurt in the same crash, that $60,000 gets split among everyone. Knowing your rights, and knowing how to pursue every available source of compensation, is what separates a fair recovery from a shortfall that leaves you paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistake.
Who Can Be Held Liable When a Passenger Gets Hurt
One of the most common questions passengers ask is whether they can file a claim against the driver of the car they were riding in. The answer is yes. In Texas, you can file a claim against any negligent driver, including a friend, family member, or rideshare driver who caused the crash. The claim goes against their insurance policy, not against them personally in most cases, so do not let a personal relationship stop you from protecting your own health and finances.
Liability in passenger injury cases can extend well beyond the driver of your vehicle. If another driver caused or contributed to the crash, their insurance is also on the hook. If more than one driver caused the crash, the passenger could file claims with each of their auto insurance companies. In some situations, an employer can be held responsible if the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash. Think about delivery drivers, company vehicle operators, or rideshare drivers who were logged into their apps. Each of those situations creates a separate layer of potential liability.
Defective vehicle parts can also play a role. A faulty airbag, a defective seatbelt, or a tire blowout caused by a manufacturing defect can shift liability to a product manufacturer. Texas law, through Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, allows courts to assign percentages of responsibility to every party who contributed to your harm, including responsible third parties. A skilled car accident attorney will investigate every angle of your case so that no source of compensation is left on the table.
Common Injuries Passengers Suffer in Denton Car Accidents
The injuries passengers suffer are often severe. Without control of the vehicle, passengers have no chance to brace for impact or take evasive action. The body absorbs the full force of the collision, and the results can be life-changing. Whiplash is among the most common passenger injuries, caused by the violent snapping motion of the head and neck during impact. But passenger injuries frequently go far beyond soft tissue damage.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a serious concern, especially in side-impact crashes or rollovers where the head strikes a window or door panel. Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, internal bleeding, and facial injuries are all common outcomes in moderate to severe collisions. Even a low-speed crash can leave a passenger with a concussion or knee injury that requires months of treatment.
It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you do not notice any obvious injuries. Some injuries, such as internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent and should be checked by a doctor to ensure your health and to gather essential evidence for your insurance claim or legal case. Denton has solid medical resources, including Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton on North I-35E, but many passengers make the mistake of skipping the ER because they feel okay in the moment. Adrenaline masks pain. What feels like minor soreness today can turn out to be a herniated disc or a slow internal bleed tomorrow. Your medical records from that first visit also become critical evidence in your claim.
Document everything you can at the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, your visible injuries, and any road conditions that may have contributed to the crash. Gather contact information from witnesses. That evidence, combined with the police report filed at the Denton Police Department or by the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, forms the foundation of a strong passenger injury claim.
How Texas Insurance Rules Affect Your Passenger Injury Claim
Texas follows a fault-based insurance system. That means the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is the primary source of compensation for your injuries. But the process is rarely straightforward. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to settle your claim for as little as possible, and they are trained to do exactly that.
One important protection available to passengers is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Texas law requires insurers to offer PIP coverage to policyholders, though drivers can reject it in writing. Your driver’s medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage can help cover your medical bills, up to the policy limits, even if your driver did not cause the wreck. PIP coverage also pays for lost wages. This can be a critical bridge while the fault determination process plays out, especially if you cannot work because of your injuries.
If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, your options become more complex. Texas law allows you to pursue an uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) claim through the policy of the vehicle you were riding in, or through your own auto policy if you have that coverage. These claims have their own procedures and deadlines, and insurance companies fight them aggressively. A car accident lawyer who knows Texas insurance law can make a significant difference in how much you actually recover.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years from the date of the accident, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing that deadline means losing your right to recover entirely. Do not wait to get legal advice.
What Compensation Can a Passenger Injury Claim Include in Texas
Texas law allows injured passengers to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover the concrete financial losses you can document. Non-economic damages cover the real but harder-to-quantify harm the crash caused to your quality of life.
Economic damages in a passenger injury case can include all past and future medical expenses, from your emergency room visit to surgery, physical therapy, prescription medication, and any long-term care your injuries require. Lost wages are recoverable if your injuries kept you from working, and future lost earning capacity is also compensable if your injuries affect your ability to work going forward. Property damage, including personal items destroyed in the crash, can also be claimed.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. PTSD after a serious crash is a recognized and compensable injury in Texas. If your injuries have permanently changed the way you live, work, or interact with your family, those losses have real value under Texas law. In cases where a passenger is killed in a crash, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002 allows surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claim against the party whose wrongful act, neglect, or carelessness caused the fatal injury.
Past results in personal injury cases vary based on the specific facts and law involved in each matter. No two cases are alike, and prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result in your case. What we can tell you is that having a lawyer who understands how to document, value, and present every category of your damages gives you the best chance at a full and fair recovery. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation. Our attorneys serve clients in Denton and across the surrounding area, including those who benefit from working with a car accident lawyer familiar with North Texas courts and insurance carriers.
Steps to Take After You Are Injured as a Passenger in Denton
The actions you take in the hours and days after a crash directly affect the strength of your injury claim. Passengers are often so shaken that they forget to protect themselves legally, especially when they know the driver. Here is what you should do to protect your rights.
Call 911 immediately. A police report is essential documentation. Officers who respond to crashes in Denton will file a report through TxDOT’s Crash Records Information System, and that report becomes a key piece of evidence. Get the names, contact information, and insurance details of all drivers involved. If there are witnesses near Denton Square or at a busy intersection like University Drive and Loop 288, get their contact information too.
Seek medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Go to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic and describe every symptom, no matter how minor it seems. Follow all treatment recommendations and keep every receipt, bill, and medical record. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the crash.
Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are skilled at asking questions in ways that minimize your claim. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your compensation. A car accident attorney can handle all communications with insurers on your behalf, which protects your claim from the start. You can also learn more about your options by reaching out to a car accident lawyer serving communities throughout Denton County and beyond.
Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys as soon as possible after your crash. We offer free consultations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call us at (940) 800-2500 or reach out through our website. The sooner we get involved, the better positioned we are to preserve evidence, identify all liable parties, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
FAQs About Passenger Injury Claims After a Car Accident in Denton
Can I file a claim against the driver of the car I was riding in if they caused the accident?
Yes. Texas law allows you to file a claim against any negligent driver, including the person who was driving the vehicle you were in. The claim goes against their auto liability insurance policy. Your personal relationship with the driver does not affect your legal right to seek compensation for your injuries.
What if both drivers were at fault for the crash that injured me as a passenger?
You can file claims against both drivers’ insurance policies. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33, the court or jury assigns a percentage of responsibility to each at-fault party. As a passenger, you are almost never assigned any fault, which means you can pursue compensation from every responsible driver without your own recovery being reduced.
How long do I have to file a passenger injury claim in Texas?
Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Waiting too long can result in losing your right to any compensation. It is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible so that evidence can be preserved and your claim can be properly investigated before deadlines approach.
What if the at-fault driver had no insurance or very little insurance?
You may still have options. If the vehicle you were riding in had uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you can file a claim under that policy. You may also be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy if you carry UM/UIM coverage. An attorney can review all available policies and identify every potential source of compensation for your injuries.
Do I need a lawyer if I was a passenger in a car accident in Denton?
Having a lawyer significantly improves your ability to recover full compensation. Insurance companies often try to settle passenger injury claims quickly and for less than they are worth. A lawyer can identify all liable parties, document the full value of your damages, handle all communications with insurers, and fight for a result that actually covers your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys offers free consultations and charges no fees unless we win your case. Call us at (940) 800-2500.
Content on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results in personal injury matters vary based on the specific facts and applicable law in each case. Past outcomes do not guarantee similar results in future cases. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is responsible for this content. Principal office: Denton, Texas.
More Resources About Accident Scenarios & Situations
- What to Do After a Car Accident in Denton
- Uninsured Driver Accident Lawyer in Denton
- Lyft Accident Lawyer in Denton
- Rental Car Accident Attorney in Denton
- Company Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Denton
- Uber Accident Lawyer in Denton
- Delivery Driver Accident Attorney (Amazon, DoorDash, Uber Eats)
- Out-of-State Driver Accident Lawyer in Denton
- Government Vehicle Accident Attorney in Denton
- Police Report Errors After a Car Accident
