When it comes to motor vehicle accident cases, people rarely think of the passenger. However, passengers commonly sustain serious injuries even though they played a blameless role in the accident itself. Passengers who are involved in car accidents are just as entitled to compensation as drivers are, and we at The Law Place are here to fight for this right on your behalf!
Our legal team boasts over 75 years of combined experience helping accident victims just like you to recover compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We offer free legal advice and a free case evaluation to anyone who calls our phone line, which is open all of the time. All calls are obligation-free and entirely confidential, so you will be risking nothing by finding out how an experienced attorney can help you.
To find out more, contact a lawyer near you!
How Do You Decide Which Driver to File a Claim Against in Passenger Injury Cases?
Unlike a motor vehicle accident which simply involves one driver crashing into another, there can often be confusing when you are an injured passenger. Which of the drivers, the car you were inside of, or the other party, should be the object of your lawsuit?
There is, unfortunately, no cut and dry answer to this which will fit all situations. Every car accident is a unique occurrence, and the key details will vary on a case-by-case basis. Your motor vehicle accident attorney will be able to assist you in figuring who is liable for your injuries.
It is possible to raise a claim with the following three parties:
- The driver whose car you were inside of at the time of the accident. If the driver did not own this car, it might be possible for you to file a claim against the insurance policy of the actual owner of the car.
- The driver of the other car, truck, or motorcycle involved in the motor vehicle accident.
- Your own insurance company, if you owned the car involved in the accident but were not driving it.
Obviously, all of this depends on who was at fault in the accident and, therefore, who is liable for the injuries, damages, and complications you incurred as a result.
The best way to find out the correct legal route to gaining your compensation is to speak to the attorneys at our practice. We have 75 years of combined experience dealing with auto vehicle accidents and know the best ways to ensure our clients receive as much financial justice as possible!
How Does the Duty of Care Apply to Englewood Passenger Accidents?
We mentioned liability in the previous section, but how does it work?
Somebody is liable for your injuries when they violate their duty of care and cause an accident as a result. On the roads of Florida, every driver has a duty of care to reasonably judge their environment, take steps to pre-empt and avoid risks, and avoid any form of negligent or reckless driving.
In order to demonstrate liability in personal injury cases, your auto accident attorney will need to demonstrate the following:
- That you were owed a duty of care by the party responsible for the collision.
- That this duty of care was breached in some way by the negligent or reckless actions of the party.
- That this breach of the duty of care directly led to you sustaining injuries, complications, or damages.
Which Damages Can a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Recover Compensation For?
There a number of different categories of damages that your personal injury attorney can help you to recover compensation for when it comes to vehicle accidents. Which of these apply to your situation will depend on the unique circumstances of your accident case.
The following are the damages most commonly achieved by an accident lawyer:
- Property damage.
- Reimbursement of medical bills.
- Recovery of lost wages.
- Compensation for pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death claims.
The best way to find out which of these apply to you is to give us a call and tell us about your case. One of our experienced accident lawyers will give you a free consultation and case review, informing you of how much your claim could be worth and whether it will be best taken through the insurance company or to trial as a lawsuit.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Claiming for Injuries Sustained in Motor Vehicle Accidents in Englewood, Florida?
The statute of limitations is what determines the amount of time in which you are still able to raise a claim for injuries sustained in an accident.
In line with Florida Statute 95.11, the statute of limitations for motor vehicle accidents stands at four years. This period is shorter if you are raising a wrongful death claim, at only two years.
The statute of limitations begins on the exact date on which your road traffic accident occurred, so it is important not to waste time if you are interested in maximizing the amount of compensation for your case.
Insurance Requirements in No-Fault States
Florida is one of the states in the US today that is covered by no-fault laws. These laws mean that each party, in the event of a motor vehicle accident, must deal with their own insurance company no matter who was at fault.
This means that drivers are obliged to carry Personal Injury Protection insurance, in line with Florida Statue 627.7407.
However, as per Florida Statute 627.736, there are limits to Personal Injury Protection insurance. These limits are $10,000 in payout for injuries and disabilities and $5,000 for fatalities.
If you are hoping for a settlement higher than this amount, you will need to take your case through the county courts. In order to be successful in this, you will need the help of an experienced attorney like those employed by our law firm.
How Much Will Legal Representation by the Lawyers From The Law Place Cost?
When it comes to choosing a high-quality law firm to represent them, many people are afraid of astronomical legal fees.
However, when you select The Law Place to fight on your behalf, you benefit from the fact that we undertake all of our accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
This means that you pay absolutely no fees unless you win your case, in which case these fees are only subtracted from the final successful settlement amount right at the end of your legal journey. Combined with our free consultation and free, no-obligation legal advice policy – fighting for compensation for your injuries simply could not carry less risk.
All of the no-win-no-fee contingency work practiced by our law firm is monitored by The Florida State Bar Association. This way, you can be totally sure that there are no nasty surprises, hidden costs, or extra fees waiting for you further down the line.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you have been the injured victim of a motor vehicle crash in the past four years, our law firm can help you maximize your personal injury claim. Our lawyers have been working for clients just like you for over 75 combined years, so we know all the complexities of Florida’s road traffic laws and all of the common tricks employed by insurance companies to attempt to lower claim amounts.
Start your personal injury claims process with a free case evaluation and consultation when you contact our Englewood office by phone, any time of the day or night. An attorney from our firm will give you free, impartial legal advice at no obligation, and it will all be completely confidential under the bounds of the attorney-client relationship.
Contact us today!