If a driver is injured in a car accident in Coral Gables or another community, they generally seek compensation from their insurance carrier or can pursue the insurance company of the at-fault driver. When a passenger in a car is injured in a traffic accident, however, the case becomes more complex. The passenger may be able to sue the driver of the other vehicle if that is who caused the accident. However, in some cases passengers may also be able to sue the driver in the car in which they were traveling.
It is important for passengers in this situation to get legal advice and to pursue the correct at-fault driver to maximize their chances of getting compensation for their injuries and damages. If you have been injured while a passenger in a car accident, contact Flaxman Law Group to arrange a free case evaluation. Flaxman Law Group is a full-service South Florida law firm and our attorneys have more than six decades of experience helping traffic accident victims and injured parties get compensation for their injuries.
Drivers Have an Obligation to Keep Occupants SafeIf you are a motorist, you are expected to insist that your passengers wear seat belts. As a driver, you have an obligation to ensure that you provide a reasonable standard of care to your passengers. While an occupant of your car may decide not to use a seat belt, ensuring that you do all you can to keep your passengers safe is important. In the event of a collision, this simple precaution can ensure that your passengers have a chance of surviving the crash. It can also reduce the risk that the occupants will seek a legal claim against you in the event of a collision.
The Challenges with Passenger InjuriesPassenger safety accidents in Coral Gables and Florida are often very delicate and sensitive cases. This is because in many situations passengers who have been injured in a car collision know the driver of the vehicle that is transporting them. For example, if a group of people were carpooling and the person driving the vehicle slammed on their brakes or ran a red light and caused an accident, the passengers in the vehicle can sue that person for their injuries. Unfortunately, the passenger who seeks a legal claim against the driver who is transporting them is often seeking a legal claim against someone that they know. It could be a friend, family member, or colleague. In these cases, a sensitive and compassionate attorney who has experience with these types of traffic accident can help smooth the way and can help offer advice about what to do.
If you have been injured as the passenger in a car, you do have rights under Florida law. Even if you know the at-fault driver and are hesitant to pursue an insurance claim, at least get legal advice about your situation. Speaking with an attorney at Flaxman Law Group is confidential and comes with no cost and no obligation, so that you can get information about compensation without risk.