What Are My Options If I Was Injured As A Passenger In An Auto Accident?
The consequences of injuries in a car accident are often severe. Injuries to the neck, head, and back are often devastating and permanent. You may suffer from burns, broken bones, and severe lacerations. Due to your injuries, you may be out of work for an extended period. You may also find yourself in a position where you are unable to pay for medical costs and other expenses, and you may not know where to turn for help.
Fortunately, the state of Illinois provides legal options to make passenger injury claims due to a crash. Courts will hold drivers accountable for their negligence. The laws also require insurance coverage for all drivers on our roads. Unfortunately, regardless of the laws, many drivers operate a vehicle without insurance. Also, insurance companies will often deny that they are responsible for paying the costs to injured passengers.
Since recovering the right amount of compensation in an injury claim is often difficult, you may wish to consider the answers to the following questions regarding your legal options.
Question No. 1: What are the rights of passengers injured in an auto accident?
Regardless of which driver is at fault in the accident, you have the option of bringing a third-party claim. You can bring a lawsuit against the owner of the car in which you were riding if they happen to be at fault, and also file a claim against their insurance company under the terms of the policy.
If the driver of another vehicle is negligent, you can make a claim against that individual as well as the insurer under the terms of their policy as well. In some instances, you may be able to make a claim against the policies of both drivers involved in the auto accident. This is especially the case if the coverage of one policy is inadequate to cover your expenses.
The important point is to understand that you can make a passenger injury claim when injured to recover compensation. You can recover compensation through the insurance policy of the driver of the vehicle you are in, the insurance policy of the other driver, the negligent driver (even if that’s the vehicle you were riding in), and in some circumstances your own insurer. It is important to speak with a skilled car accident lawyer who will make certain any claim includes all responsible parties.
Question No. 2: What if I require immediate medical care after a car accident and do not have the funds to pay for the medical costs?
Every car insurance policy contains coverage to pay the medical bills for those injured in an accident. However, these claims can take time to process, and the insurance company could make it difficult for you to get the funds you need when you need them.
If you need to pay your medical bills, you may be able to use your health insurance policy to cover your treatment. Also, under the terms of the applicable auto insurance policy, you possibly could make a medical payment claim. Such a claim will not cover an unlimited amount of expense, but it will help you pay for the immediate medical treatment you receive. An attorney can review with you what insurance coverage may be available to cover your medical costs.
Do not delay in receiving the medical care you require after an accident. Immediately report to an emergency room, call your doctor, or call for an ambulance if you require immediate medical care. Medical care cannot wait. If you wait too long to seek treatment, you might face challenges connecting your injury to the accident, which may negatively impact your potential personal injury claim.
Question No. 3: What can I recover in a passenger injury claim?
A personal injury attorney can help you pursue the following kinds of damages and expenses connected to a car accident case:
- All past and future medical costs and expenses
- Pain and suffering including physical, mental and emotional distress, that have been suffered in the past and what will be suffered in the future
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of affection and companionship
- Costs for other services
- Disability or loss of normal life
- Disfigurement
Every accident case is different. When you meet with an injury lawyer at our firm, we can help you understand exactly how we can help you recover fair compensation. We have handled serious injury cases for over 30 years, and know what to do to help you make the best of your situation.
Question No. 4: What are the benefits of hiring a lawyer to handle your passenger injury claim?
Individuals injured in a car accident generally receive a much higher payout when they have legal representation than when they do not. Our skilled personal injury attorneys have experience understanding what is fair compensation in a passenger injury claim. It is the duty of our accident attorneys at Mark L. Karno & Associates to look out for your best interests.
We can help you understand your legal options before making a passenger injury claim. Too often, insurance companies will offer quick settlements to your claim before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and medical expenses. The insurance company does not generally make settlement offers out of the goodness of their heart. Insurance companies are businesses, and their adjusters may wish to save their employer money – even at the cost of the policyholder and injured parties.
When meeting with a personal injury lawyer at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC, during a free initial consultation, we will assess your short-term and long-term needs and be at your side during the entire legal process. We will apprise you of all of your legal options and take all the necessary steps to locate a favorable outcome.
To learn more, contact our law firm by calling 312-574-3362 or send us an email to arrange a meeting with an experienced accident attorney. We have offices in Chicago .