First accident ever — cousin filed the car claim but did I also need to file separately for my injuries??

I was a passenger in a friend's car when we got hit and I had NO idea I had to do anything myself — I assumed their insurance just handled everything. Spoiler: it doesn't work that way lol. You almost certainly need to open your own claim, either with the at-fault driver's insurance or possibly through your cousin's policy depending on how everything shakes out. Don't wait on this, seriously.

Your mom is right — the property damage claim and a bodily injury claim are separate things entirely. As a passenger you're generally considered an injured third party, which means you have your own right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain, and any lost wages. You'd typically file against the at-fault driver's liability coverage. The sooner you start that process the better, because insurance companies do pay attention to gaps between the accident and when you first make contact. Also yes, there are deadlines — called statutes of limitations — that vary by state, so don't sleep on this.

Please be careful when you do contact the insurance company. They may act super friendly and helpful but their whole job is to minimize what they pay out. Do NOT give a recorded statement without understanding what you're agreeing to. And definitely don't accept any quick settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries — that neck pain and headache could turn into something more serious and once you settle you usually can't go back.

The fact that you had imaging done is good, but please keep going to every follow-up appointment they scheduled for you. Neck injuries and post-collision headaches can be sneaky — sometimes symptoms get worse before they get better, or new ones show up. Keep a running note on your phone of how you're feeling each day. That documentation genuinely matters both for your health and if you end up in a claims process.

Speaking from the other side of the desk — passenger injury claims are actually pretty routine and you absolutely have standing to file one. What I'd tell you is this: get every single medical record and bill organized from day one. Adjusters look for consistency between what you reported at the scene (or shortly after) and what your records show. If your urgent care notes mention neck pain and headache, that's your paper trail. Guard it.

Two things you need to do right now: 1) call the at-fault driver's insurance and open a claim in your name as an injured passenger, and 2) talk to a personal injury attorney — most do free consultations and don't charge unless you win. You're young, you're hurt, and you don't know the system yet. Don't try to navigate this alone.

Ugh this is so overwhelming, I'm sorry you're dealing with this on top of already being injured. You didn't do anything wrong — you just didn't know. The important thing is you found out now and not after the deadline passed. Take it one step at a time 💙

Quick question — do you know for sure who was actually at fault in the accident? Like was the other driver cited, or is liability still being sorted out? That can affect which insurance you'd file against and kind of changes the strategy a little.