Injured As A Passenger In A Florida Car Accident? Here’s Some Crucial Information For You

Car accidents can leave both passengers and drivers with injuries and experiencing significant losses. Actually, passengers are injured in car accidents just as much as drivers. When a driver is injured in a car accident, they usually know what to do and what their rights are. However, when a passenger gets injured in a car accident, it is often unclear what needs to be done. Most people do not know what rights they have as a passenger involved in a car accident. If you were a passenger at the time of your car accident, you might be feeling confused and unsure of what steps to take. It is crucial that you speak to a qualified attorney who can help you take the necessary steps and protect your rights.

Your Rights as a Passenger Injured in a Florida Car Accident

If you suffered injuries in a Florida car accident while riding in a vehicle as a passenger, you should know that Florida law gives you as much right as a driver to recover compensation. There are several insurance coverages in Florida that are designated to protect passengers, and a qualified attorney can tell you all about them.

If you sustained severe injuries in your accident because of another driver’s negligence, you are within your rights to pursue a personal injury case against them and recover compensation. According to Florida Statute 627.737, a severe injury consists in whole or in part of:

• Significant and permanent scarring;
• Significant and permanent loss of a crucial bodily function;
• Permanent injury, other than disfigurement or scarring.

If your injuries meet any of the above qualifications, you can file a personal injury claim even against the driver of the vehicle you were in when the accident occurred. In such a case, you can recover compensation if you prove that the host driver was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your accident.

Can a Passenger Be At-fault?

Often, it is easier for passengers to win personal injury cases than drivers who get injured. This is because passengers are rarely, if ever, at fault for car accidents. This often results in injured passengers recovering more money than injured drivers.

However, you must note that there are times when a passenger can also be held liable for their injuries and losses. If, for example, you are found guilty of one of the following actions, you may be held at least partially liable for your injuries and losses:

• You drove with a driver knowing they were impaired or fatigued
• You intentionally distracted the driver
• You failed to warn the driver about a hazard you saw before them
• You rode with a reckless driver knowing they were a reckless driver

Fortunately, even if you are found partly at fault for your injuries and losses, you can still recover compensation from the other at-fault party. However, if it is determined that you played a role in causing your accident, you will receive a reduced amount of compensation.

Legal Help Is Available

If you were injured in a Florida car accident as a passenger, contact one of our skilled Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm to learn about your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, and West Palm Beach areas.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.81.html