How to File a Claim If You Were a Passenger in a San Diego Car Accident

By Eugene Bruno on November 7, 2025

Car accidents can be overwhelming. And you might not know where to turn for help when you’re not the one behind the wheel.

Many people who are injured as a passenger are unsure what to do next. You may be asking yourself: Whose insurance applies? Do I need an attorney? These questions can be tough to answer without legal guidance.

Whether you were riding with a friend, rideshare driver, or family member, you have the right to pursue a passenger injury claim. At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we’ve helped countless passengers recover compensation after a crash.

Who’s Liable for Your Injuries

When you’re a passenger in a San Diego car accident, liability for your injuries depends on who caused the crash—and in many cases, that means one or more drivers involved.

Common at-fault scenarios include:

• The driver of the vehicle you were riding in (e.g., a friend, spouse, coworker)
• Another driver who collided with your vehicle
• Multiple drivers who share fault in the crash

As a passenger, you may file a claim against any liable party—or against more than one party if necessary.

Can I File a Claim If My Friend Was Driving?

Absolutely. If your friend was driving and caused the accident—whether due to distraction, speeding, or running a red light—you can file a claim against their auto liability insurance.

We understand this can feel uncomfortable, but you’re not suing your friend directly in most cases. Instead, you’re filing a third-party car insurance claim with their insurer. That’s exactly what their insurance is there for—to protect injured passengers and others.

What If I’m Related to the Driver?

In California, there’s a distinction between household family members and unrelated passengers. If you’re closely related and live with the driver, you may be excluded from their liability coverage under the policy’s household exclusion clause.

However, there may still be other options, such as:

• Filing against another at-fault driver
• Using Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, if included in the policy
• Filing under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (if available)

This is where legal analysis becomes crucial. A San Diego car accident attorney can review policy language, state law, and crash details to determine the best path forward.

Steps to Take If You’re Injured as a Passenger

If you were injured in a crash while riding as a passenger, here’s what you should do:

Call 911 and Get Medical Attention

Always report the crash and request medical evaluation. Your health is the top priority, and medical records are vital to support your claim.

Gather Contact and Insurance Information

Obtain the names, phone numbers, and insurance details for all drivers involved in the crash. Even if you were a backseat passenger, you’re entitled to this information.

Document the Scene

Take photos of vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, and anything else relevant. If you’re unable to do this, ask someone else at the scene to help.

Get the Police Report

Police reports can clarify fault and list witnesses. Request a copy once it becomes available through the San Diego Police Department or California Highway Patrol, depending on where the crash occurred.

Speak to a San Diego Car Accident Attorney

Before speaking with insurance adjusters, it’s wise to consult a San Diego personal injury lawyer. Car insurance companies often minimize payouts, especially when multiple claims are involved. We can help protect your rights and guide you through the process.

What Damages Can You Claim as a Passenger?

A passenger injury claim allows you to pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses (hospital visits, follow-ups, prescriptions, therapy)
• Lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working
• Pain and suffering for physical and emotional distress
• Future care costs, including rehabilitation or surgeries
• Loss of enjoyment of life if your daily activities are impacted

Every case is unique. We work with medical experts and financial analysts to calculate the full value of your claim—not just short-term costs, but long-term consequences.

What If the At-Fault Driver Has Low Insurance?

California’s minimum liability coverage is just:

• $15,000 per person for bodily injury
• $30,000 per accident for multiple people
• $5,000 for property damage

In a serious accident, this may not be enough to cover your losses—especially if several people are injured. Here’s what we can do:

• Pursue multiple insurance policies (e.g., both drivers, employer’s commercial coverage)
• File under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy
• Identify other liable parties, such as a rideshare company, employer, or vehicle manufacturer

The legal team at Eugene Bruno & Associates builds comprehensive cases that explore every possible compensation source, especially in crashes involving serious or catastrophic injuries.

What If Multiple Passengers Are Injured?

When multiple passengers file claims against one driver’s limited policy, insurers may offer small settlements to each person. In these cases, legal representation is essential to:

• Ensure your injuries are properly documented and valued
• Negotiate for a larger portion of available coverage
• Explore secondary or umbrella policies

Do I Need to Testify or Go to Court?

Not necessarily. Most third-party car insurance claims settle out of court through negotiation or mediation. However, if an insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we’re fully prepared to file a lawsuit and go to trial.

Our goal is always to achieve the best possible result—without unnecessary stress or delay.

Why Choose Eugene Bruno & Associates?

We’ve been representing injured car accident passengers and drivers in San Diego for more than 20 years. With a 99.7% success rate, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in car, truck, rideshare, and pedestrian accidents.

Here’s what we have to offer our clients:

• We offer free consultations
• You pay nothing unless we win
• We handle the paperwork, calls, and negotiations—so you can focus on healing
• We treat every client like a person, not a case file

Speak With a Trusted Vehicle Passenger Accident Lawyer in San Diego

If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a San Diego car accident, you have rights—and you deserve compensation. Don’t wait to explore your legal options. Eugene Bruno & Associates can assist you with a vehicle passenger accident claim in San Diego.

Call 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) for a free, no-obligation consultation today.

We’ll help you pursue maximum compensation. Let us handle the legal fight—while you focus on getting your life back together.