Lake Worth Passenger Injury Attorneys Seeking Maximum Compensation for Car Accident Victims in Florida
If you were injured in a car accident while riding as a passenger in one of the vehicles involved in the crash, you may wonder about your rights to file a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for the injuries and losses you’ve suffered due to the accident. As an injured passenger, trying to recover compensation after a car accident may prove incredibly complex and difficult. An experienced law firm can help take out the guesswork and guide you through the process of pursuing financial recovery. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. our Florida passenger car accident lawyers fight to help injured car accident victims make a full financial, physical, and personal recovery following car crashes that turn our clients’ lives upside down.
We work tirelessly to hold liable drivers and insurance companies responsible to provide you with compensation for your injuries and losses. You can trust that our legal team will not rest until we’ve done everything we can to help you recover from a car accident.
Don’t wait another day to begin the process of seeking financial recovery when you’ve been injured through no fault of your own as a passenger in a car accident in Florida. Contact a seasoned passenger auto accident attorney in Florida from our firm for an initial case evaluation to discuss how our experienced attorney can help you seek the financial resources you need and deserve.
How Insurance Can Help You Get Compensation After Being Injured in an Accident
As a passenger injured in a car accident, you have the same right to file an insurance claim for compensation as the drivers of the vehicles involved in the crash. Under Florida’s no-fault insurance system, drivers are required to carry auto insurance that includes personal injury protection coverage. Personal injury protection coverage helps pay for medical bills, lost income, and other economic losses arising from a car accident. A passenger injured in a car crash is typically entitled to file a claim against the personal injury protection coverage under the policy held by the driver of the passenger’s vehicle. If the passenger owns their own vehicle or is otherwise covered by a household member’s auto insurance policy, they may also be entitled to seek PIP coverage under their own policy.
A passenger hurt in a car crash may also be able to seek coverage for their medical expenses through their health insurance policy. However, if the passenger has PIP coverage available to them, the terms of their health insurance policy may require them to first look to the auto insurer for PIP coverage before seeking coverage under health insurance.
If a passenger suffers a serious injury, as defined by Florida law, they may be entitled to file a claim against the at-fault driver or drivers, whether that driver is the operator of another vehicle involved in the crash, or the driver of the passenger’s vehicle, or potentially multiple drivers involved in the accident. If the at-fault driver or drivers don’t have liability coverage under their auto insurance, an injured passenger may be able to turn to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under the policy of the driver of the vehicle the passenger was riding in, or under the passenger’s own auto insurance policy, if either policy includes UM/UIM coverage.
What is No-Fault Insurance for Passengers?
If you’re injured as a passenger in a Florida car accident, you have specific legal rights that can help you recover compensation for your injuries. Knowing the steps to take and understanding Florida car accident law can ensure you get the financial support you deserve.
In Florida, no-fault insurance applies to both drivers and passengers. This system allows you to file a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim to cover medical bills, regardless of who caused the accident. PIP insurance can provide up to $10,000 in coverage, but it doesn’t cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering unless your injuries meet specific legal thresholds.
If your medical bills exceed the PIP limits or your injuries are severe, you may need to file a personal injury claim. This process involves proving the other driver’s liability and filing within Florida’s legal timeframe, which is typically four years from the date of the accident. You could also seek compensation for lost wages and pain and suffering.
What to Do if Your Child is Injured in a Car Accident in Florida
If your child is involved in a car accident in Florida, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect their health and legal rights. Start by following these essential steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if your child doesn’t show obvious signs of injury. Some symptoms, like trauma or internal injuries, can develop later.
- Get a pediatric medical evaluation to ensure your child receives the necessary care.
- Collect information from the accident scene, including photos, witness statements, and details about the other driver.
Florida law provides special protections for children injured in car accidents. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is extended, but acting quickly is still essential. Consulting with a Florida car accident lawyer can help you:
- Understand your legal options.
- Navigate the complex process of filing a claim for your child’s injury.
- Ensure that you pursue the maximum compensation for your child’s medical care and recovery.
Medical Care and Insurance Claims
After a car accident, your child may require medical care and possibly psychological support to cope with the trauma. Filing an insurance claim is critical to covering these expenses. Here’s what you need to know:
- Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) helps pay for medical bills after an accident.
- A lawyer can guide you through the insurance claims process, ensuring all your child’s medical needs are covered.
- Compensation may be available for long-term care and emotional recovery.
Filing a Claim for Your Child’s Injuries
Under Florida car accident injury law for children, minors involved in accidents are entitled to specific protections. This includes medical expenses, future care, and compensation for pain and suffering. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance in Florida covers some of the medical costs, but you may need to take additional legal action to cover long-term expenses.
In Florida, there are strict time limits for filing injury claims. Working with a specialized car accident injury lawyer for children can help you navigate the complex legal system, ensuring you meet all deadlines and maximize compensation for your child’s recovery.
Let Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. Work to Recover Compensation for You Following a Car Accident in Florida
Obtaining compensation for injuries suffered as a passenger in a car accident is not always a straightforward process. The Florida passenger car accident lawyers of Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. will fight to make sure that you recover the maximum compensation possible when you’ve been injured in a car accident through no fault of your own as a passenger. Our firm can investigate your accident to determine how the crash occurred and identify the party or parties at fault. We’ll also review the surrounding circumstances of your claim, including insurance coverage that may be potentially available to you, and aggressively negotiate with insurers or with defense attorneys representing the at-fault party or parties to try to reach a settlement that provides you with fair and full compensation. If necessary, our experienced attorneys are ready to advocate for your rights and interests in court.
Call or Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident while riding in a vehicle as a passenger, you may have the right to compensation for your injuries. Contact Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. today for a free, no-obligation case review to discuss how our firm can help you secure the maximum financial recovery for the expenses and losses you’ve incurred due to the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sueing After a Car Accident as a Passenger in Florida
If you’re involved in a car accident as a passenger, you should make sure to get the contact and insurance information for each of the drivers involved in the accident, especially the driver of the vehicle you were riding in. If possible, try to take photographs of the accident scene, damage to the vehicles, and any visible injuries you may have suffered. Make sure to get checked out by your doctor or another medical provider to diagnose all your injuries. You’ll want to file a claim with the auto insurance of the driver of your vehicle, as you may be entitled to personal injury protection coverage under the driver’s policy.
Normally, you’d be entitled as a passenger to seek compensation for out-of-pocket medical expenses and lost wages from the personal injury protection coverage under the insurance policy of the driver of your vehicle. However, if your vehicle’s driver was responsible for the accident, you may also be entitled to file a claim for compensation under the normal liability coverage under the driver’s auto policy.