Car accidents can lead to life-altering and traumatic injuries, including for passengers. Unfortunately, most victims are confused by the claim process and are unsure where to start and who to turn to for compensation. Even as a passenger, you may have legal rights to financial recovery after a Kentucky car accident.
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, our Kentucky legal team has the tenacity and courage to fight for you. Our experienced Kentucky personal injury attorneys know what it takes to help you put your life pack together after a car accident. As a passenger, there are ways to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. We’re here to help you navigate the process and recover the money you deserve.
Discuss your situation with our legal team today to learn more about your car accident compensation recovery options. Contact our office and request your free consultation today. Let’s work together to pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Passenger Car Accident Injury?
As a passenger, it can be hard to determine who is liable for causing a car accident and owes you compensation for your injuries. Passenger injury liability can be complicated. Several parties may be responsible for the accident and your financial losses, especially when negligence plays a role in the collision. Those who may be liable for a Kentucky passenger injury can include:
- The driver of the vehicle you were riding in
- The driver of the other vehicle
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
Trying to wrap your head around issues of liability and Kentucky car accident law following an accident can be overwhelming. Before filing a claim or accepting compensation from anyone, discuss your case with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Common Injuries Suffered by Passengers in Car Accidents
Car accidents can be violent and traumatic events, passengers can suffer a range of devastating injuries that can change their lives. Some of the most common injuries suffered by passengers in car accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Passenger whiplash
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Air bag injuries
- Burns
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Contusions
- Lacerations
Physical injuries are not the only injuries passengers may face following a collision. Car accidents and the significant physical injuries they cause can also lead to mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You must take mental health concerns and other invisible injuries seriously after a traumatic event, especially a car accident. If you are suffering from mental health concerns, talk to your doctor. Medical documentation of your physical and mental injuries can help bolster your car accident claim.
What Types of Compensation Can a Passenger Recover?
Kentucky car accident law is unique because it follows a no-fault car insurance system that also allows drivers to opt out of no-fault coverage. With no-fault coverage, a driver files an insurance claim with their own insurance provider, rather than with the at-fault driver’s insurer. No-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) benefits pay medical bills, lost wages, and certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash. PIP benefits extend to the driver and policyholder and anyone riding in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Passengers can typically turn to their car insurance provider or that of the driver in whose car they were riding at the time of the crash to seek for compensation for their injuries. Following a catastrophic car accident, a passenger may also pursue compensation via a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or their insurance company, depending on the circumstances. Most injured passengers can pursue money for the following:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the crash
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning potential
- Loss or consortium or companionship
- Pain and suffering
A knowledgeable Kentucky personal injury attorney can help you determine where to begin and how to recover the compensation you deserve for your financial losses and injuries. An attorney can also help you manage strategic legal deadlines.
Kentucky law gives car accident victims two years after the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation. Insurance companies know this and may drag out negotiations in hopes you’ll miss the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit and have no choice but to accept an offer that’s far less than you deserve. Working with an attorney is the best way to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take If You’re a Passenger Injured in a Car Accident
Being in the passenger seat may make you feel like you have no control over the situation. However, there are proactive steps you can take after a Kentucky car accident that will protect your legal rights and ability to seek maximum compensation for your injuries. Take these steps if you’re a passenger injured in a Kentucky car accident:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Do not wait. You need to get medical assistance immediately following a car accident. Some injuries can take hours or even days to manifest distressing and dangerous symptoms. The sooner you get medical help, the better your prognosis. Additionally, medical records can be crucial evidence that helps you pursue compensation for your injuries and medical expenses.
Collect Information at the Scene When Possible
You may be a passenger, but that doesn’t mean you should take a back seat. Be active at the scene and collect as much information as possible. That means getting contact and insurance information from the driver of the car you were in, the other driver involved in the crash, and any potential witnesses to the accident. It also helps to take photographs and videos of both vehicles, the scene, and your injuries.
Do Not Give Recorded Statements to an Insurer
Whether it is your insurer or someone else’s, never give a recorded statement without legal assistance. An insurer, even your own, can pick apart your statement, looking for inaccuracies or discrepancies to diminish the value of your claim or deny it outright.
Talk to an Attorney
As a passenger, collecting compensation for your injuries can be complicated and confusing. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you review your legal options and lead you through the claim process.
Other steps to protect your claim include maintaining a comprehensive record of your medical bills, lost income, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash. Also, do not post about the accident or anything else on social media. It is best to avoid social media until your attorney resolves your claim. Insurers and opposing attorneys can scour your social media presence, looking for statements and information they can use to discredit you and invalidate your claim.
Why You Should Get Help from an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Car accident claims involving passengers can be complicated. When multiple parties are involved, recovering the compensation you deserve becomes challenging as blame and liability constantly shift from one party to the other. You deserve aggressive legal representation designed to help you recover every penny you deserve.
An experienced car accident lawyer in Kentucky can help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses. At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we take a proactive approach to helping injured vehicle passengers seek financial recovery. We start by taking the time to listen to you and thoroughly review your situation. Next, we outline the best options for recovering full compensation and walk you through the legal process. We focus on offering transparent communication from start to finish so you are always clear about what comes next.
Our car accident lawyers in Kentucky will also:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Identify all liable parties
- Collect and preserve vital evidence
- Manage communication between you and all involved parties
- Build a strong claim on your behalf
- Negotiate for maximum compensation
- Prepare a case for court when needed
You deserve the time and space to focus on your recovery, not the stress of filing a claim for compensation following an accident. Allow a skilled Kentucky personal injury attorney to help you during this challenging time and increase your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.
Contact a Kentucky Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Passengers have legal rights following a car accident. Securing legal representation as soon as possible increases your chances of obtaining a positive outcome for your situation. It also means you don’t have to navigate the confusing claim process alone. At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we have the courage to fight for you. We aim to do everything we can to prepare a strong claim on your behalf and help you recover the money you need to move forward with your life.
Are you interested in learning more about what an experienced car accident lawyer in Kentucky can do for you? Contact our office today. We invite you to request a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
