Yes — if you were injured as a passenger in a Pasadena, Texas car accident, you generally can file a claim for compensation. Whether the at-fault driver was the one operating your vehicle or another motorist, passengers are entitled to pursue damages for their injuries under Texas law.
Being hurt in a crash is stressful enough without having to navigate questions about who’s responsible and how to recover what you’ve lost. The car accident attorneys at SJ Injury Attorneys help injured passengers understand their rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation in situations that can feel complicated — especially when friends, family, or uninsured drivers are involved.
What Are a Passenger’s Rights After a Car Accident?
Passengers often assume they don’t have the same rights as drivers when a crash occurs. In fact, the opposite is true. Because passengers usually play no role in causing the accident, they often have a clear legal path to file a Pasadena TX passenger accident claim.
Under Texas negligence law, you may pursue compensation from anyone whose carelessness contributed to the crash. That might be:
- The driver of your vehicle. If your driver caused the collision, their insurance policy may cover your medical expenses and other damages.
- Another driver. If another motorist hit the car you were riding in, you may file a claim with that driver’s insurance company.
- Multiple drivers. In some cases, fault is shared among several drivers. You may have claims against more than one insurance policy.
A passenger can typically recover for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Because passengers are rarely at fault, they generally aren’t affected by Texas’s comparative negligence rules — unless they somehow contributed to the crash in an unusual way, such as grabbing the steering wheel or distracting the driver.
What Should a Passenger Do After a Pasadena Crash?
Even as a passenger, what you do immediately after a crash can make a major difference in your claim. The following steps help protect your rights and strengthen your Pasadena TX passenger accident claim.
- Seek medical attention right away. Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out by a doctor. Some conditions don’t show symptoms right away but can worsen quickly.
- Call the police and request a report. A police report helps document fault, witness names, and crash details that will matter later.
- Gather information and evidence. Exchange contact and insurance details with all drivers involved, take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the crash scene, and collect contact information for witnesses.
- Keep all records. Save medical bills, treatment notes, receipts, and any out-of-pocket expenses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to discuss the crash before you have representation. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
- Contact a Pasadena car accident attorney. Lawyers like those at SJ Injury Attorneys can handle insurer communications and ensure all filing deadlines are met.
Following these steps not only helps establish liability but also ensures that the true extent of your injuries and losses is documented from the start.
What If the At-Fault Driver Is a Friend or Relative?
Many passengers hesitate to make a claim because the person who caused the accident is someone they know. This is understandable, but it’s important to remember that claims are made against the driver’s insurance company, not the driver personally.
In Texas, every driver is required to carry minimum liability coverage. That policy exists to protect both the driver and any injured parties, including passengers. Filing a claim simply activates the coverage the driver has already paid for — it’s not a personal attack or lawsuit against your friend or family member.
Still, these situations can feel delicate. An attorney can help you:
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Avoid direct conflicts or awkward discussions with the at-fault driver
- Ensure the claim process remains professional and fact-based
If the driver’s insurance policy doesn’t fully cover your injuries, your attorney can explore additional sources of recovery, such as your own underinsured motorist coverage.
What If the Driver Is Uninsured or Denies Fault?
Unfortunately, not every driver on Pasadena roads carries valid insurance — and some deny responsibility even when they’re clearly at fault. When that happens, passengers still have several potential options.
Uninsured or Underinsured Driver
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little coverage, your own insurance policy (or a policy held by someone in your household) may include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This coverage can step in to pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other accident-related damages
Even if you weren’t driving, you may qualify under this coverage if you’re listed or covered under the policy.
Denial of Fault
If the at-fault driver’s insurer disputes liability, your attorney can investigate by:
- Reviewing the police report and any traffic citations
- Gathering witness statements
- Analyzing vehicle damage and crash-site photos
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
Strong evidence, like traffic camera footage or EDR data, can counter attempts to deny responsibility and support your Pasadena TX passenger accident claim.
What Damages Can a Passenger Recover?
Passengers injured in a Pasadena crash may recover both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the circumstances.
Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses for treatment, rehabilitation, and future care
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs for medication, equipment, or transportation
Non-economic damages cover more personal losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or anxiety
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Because every case is unique, a Pasadena car accident attorney can evaluate the full scope of your damages to pursue fair compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Pasadena?
Timing is critical in any Texas car accident case. The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims — including Pasadena TX passenger accident claims — is two years from the date of the crash.
That means you have two years to file a lawsuit in court if your claim isn’t settled. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to recovery.
A few special circumstances can change this timeline:
- Claims involving minors. The two-year period usually begins when the child turns 18.
- Claims against government entities. If the at-fault vehicle belongs to a city, county, or state agency, you must give notice of the claim within a much shorter window — sometimes as little as 180 days.
- Because insurance reporting deadlines are often even shorter, it’s best to contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
How Texas Comparative Negligence Affects Passenger Claims
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001, meaning your compensation can be reduced if you share fault for the accident. However, passengers are rarely assigned any percentage of responsibility since they weren’t operating the vehicle.
That said, insurers sometimes argue that a passenger contributed to the crash — for instance, by distracting the driver. An attorney can push back on these claims by showing there’s no valid evidence of shared fault.
As long as you are found less than 51% at fault, you can still recover damages under Texas law.
How an Attorney Helps With a Pasadena TX Passenger Accident Claim
Even when the situation seems straightforward, car accident claims can quickly become complex. Insurance companies may dispute liability, undervalue injuries, or delay payment. A skilled legal team helps balance the scales.
Attorneys at SJ Injury Attorneys can:
- Conduct detailed investigations into the cause of the crash
- Collect medical records, police reports, and witness statements
- Handle all insurer communications and negotiations
- Evaluate settlement offers to ensure they reflect your full damages
- File a lawsuit if insurers refuse to negotiate fairly
They also manage medical liens, subrogation claims, and other behind-the-scenes details that can affect your recovery amount. Having an attorney handle these aspects allows you to focus on healing while they handle the legal complexities.
The Bottom Line for Pasadena Passengers
Passengers have the same right to pursue compensation as drivers do — sometimes with even fewer legal obstacles. Whether your injuries were caused by the driver you rode with or another motorist entirely, you can bring a Pasadena TX passenger accident claim to recover for your losses.
After a crash, protect your rights by getting medical care, documenting what happened, and contacting knowledgeable attorneys like those at SJ Injury Attorneys. They can help guide you through the process, handle insurers, and ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time.