PASSENGER INJURIES IN CAR ACCIDENTS

Anytime you get into the passenger seat of a vehicle, you are putting your life in the hands of someone else, whether that be the driver you are riding with or other drivers on the road. As a passenger, you have no control over the outcome of the journey, but you are just as susceptible to the consequences of an accident if one occurs.

If you were a passenger who has been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering where to turn for help. The insurance of the driver whose car you were in? The other driver’s insurance? Your own? It can be difficult to figure out where to begin.

Do not let yourself become an overlooked victim lost in the fight between drivers. If you suffered injuries as a result of being a passenger in a car accident, you have a right to demand compensation for your losses. Talk to the dedicated Gainesville passenger injury lawyers at Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A. We can answer all your questions in a free consultation.

How Our Gainesville Car Accident Attorneys Fight for Passengers’ Rights

Passengers may be just as injured as the driver after a serious car accident. Yet somehow, it feels like you are going unnoticed and neglected as the drivers focus on who is at fault, how their injuries will be compensated, and which insurance company is going to pay. Our lawyers will fight to ensure your needs and rights as a passenger is not ignored after an accident.

Our experienced passenger injury attorneys know how to navigate the complex web of insurance in these types of cases. Passengers may have to go in search of compensation from as many as three different insurers depending on the situation.

Imagine being bounced back and forth from company to company being told it is someone else’s responsibility and they are not going to pay. It is a frustration many injured passengers have to deal with. Sadly, many give up the fight and do not get the help they need to pay their medical bills and recover.

At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A., we stand up for you. We take over all communication with the insurance companies and demand the full compensation you need to heal.

What You Need to Know About Insurance Coverage for Passenger Injuries

• Under Florida law, a passenger in someone else’s car is covered by his or her own auto insurance for up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages regardless of who is at fault. So, if you own a car and are a passenger in someone else’s car, your own insurance company would be liable for the first $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages.
• If you do not own a car or live with a relative who owns a car, then you would be covered by the insurance of the car in which you were a passenger for the first $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages.
• The driver who is at fault in the crash is liable for medical bills and lost wages in excess of $10,000 and, if you sustain a permanent injury, for your pain, suffering, disability, loss of earning capacity, and future medical bills.
• There are other insurance coverages that may apply, so consulting an attorney can provide a more in-depth analysis.

Compensation for a Passenger Injured in a Car Accident

Whether another driver or the driver of the vehicle you were riding in was at fault for the crash, your rights as a passenger under Florida law will not change. You have the right to demand full and fair compensation for your losses, including:

• Medical expenses
• Future treatment costs
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity for the future
• Pain and suffering

Determining fault and understanding insurance coverage after an accident can be complicated. You, the passenger, can be caught in the middle of the struggle. That is why getting a lawyer on your side early is so important. At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A., we will aggressively fight for the maximum compensation you need to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

If you have been hurt in a collision as a passenger in Florida, get medical treatment as soon as possible to ensure your health is protected and your injuries are documented. Do not sign any insurance forms or give any statements until you have hired an attorney to represent you.

Give your passenger injury attorney all of the documentation you have gathered after the crash, including pictures of the scene, the insurance information for the drivers involved, eyewitness contact information, medical bills, and any other relevant information.

Your attorney will help you determine who was at fault and what insurance coverage is available to you. We will help you negotiate for a fair settlement and prepare your case for trial, if necessary.

When Should I Contact a Car Accident Attorney?

The best time to talk to an experienced car accident attorney is as soon as possible after the crash. Get the medical care that you need immediately and then pick up the phone and give us a call for a free consultation.

It is difficult juggling calls from multiple insurance companies that do not want to take responsibility to pay for your injuries. The process becomes even more complicated when multiple drivers and passengers have been injured. What if the driver of your vehicle was a loved one or a family member? What if there were more than two cars involved?

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, the complications that can arise are staggering. If this sounds like a legal nightmare, you are right, it can be. That is why consulting with a knowledgeable attorney is your best bet when it comes to fighting for the fair compensation you deserve.

 Types of Passenger Injuries in a Car Accident

Every car accident case is unique. Injuries can vary wildly depending on where the cars collide, how fast they were going, and weather conditions. In general, passengers may suffer a number of injuries, including:

• Broken ribs and chest trauma
• Back and spine injuries
• Broken bones
• Arm and leg injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Burns
• Disfigurement
• Knee injuries
• Severe internal injuries and soft tissue damage
• Whiplash
• Concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Talk to an Experienced Gainesville Car Accident Attorney

The only thing that is crystal clear after being a passenger injured in a car accident is how complicated the entire process is. You were only a passenger. The accident was not your fault. But it can feel like you are the one being punished because you are not getting the attention and compensation you deserve. Get a legal team on your side now.

The attorneys at Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A., have over 100 years of combined legal experience. We pride ourselves on treating you like the individual you are and thoroughly getting to know you and the specifics of your case.

The consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose by giving us a call. Do not let yourself become a pawn in an insurance company struggle, get someone who cares on your side today.