The amount of money passengers can get in a car accident will vary depending on the severity of that passenger’s injuries and other losses. Passengers have as much of a right to sue bad actors as impacted drivers, although the circumstances under which they may request financial support can differ from those benefiting a driver.
Fortunately, a Long Island car accident lawyer can walk you through what your rights are as a passenger. Our 100 years of combined legal experience can demystify the legislation surrounding passengers’ rights and help you get the financial support you need to stay on top of your bills.
Compensation Implications for Passengers in a No-Fault State
If you have been hurt as a passenger in a car accident, you may be wondering if you are eligible for settlement if you are a passenger.
Since New York is a no-fault state, each driver is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage as part of their minimum auto insurance requirements. As a passenger, you can file a claim with the insurance company of the person driving the car you were in to get compensation for your injuries.
PIP insurance provides up to $50,000 in coverage for every occupant in an impacted vehicle.
If the cost of your injuries extends beyond what the insurance company provides, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. In this instance, you could file a claim against the other driver or even the driver of the vehicle you were in, depending on the circumstances.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help Passengers
A Long Island car accident attorney can help you navigate the nuances of a New York car accident free of charge during a car accident case consultation. Our team uses a comprehensive set of investigative skills to determine the following:
- Who you, a passenger, have the right to hold legally responsible for your losses
- Whether or not you can invoke a complex understanding of comparative negligence in your pursuit of damages
- The value of the settlement you can walk away with after concluding a car accident claim
We do all of this on a contingency fee basis for your benefit. We don’t let financial obstacles prevent you from getting the legal advice you deserve. Moreover, booking a consultation with our lawyers doesn’t lock you into legal action. We will not force you to pursue a case.
In other words, our team stands ready to provide you with comprehensive legal support without exorbitant fees. Let’s work together to figure out how New York allows its injured passengers to navigate the civil system.
New York’s Car Accident Statute of Limitations
According to New York statute CPLR 214(4), personal injury cases typically have a three–year statute of limitation period. Because some circumstances can lead to variations in the allotted window of time for claims, it is important to talk to your car accident lawyer as soon as possible to get an accurate picture of what your options are.
Additionally, it is best to file a claim as close to the incident as possible to strengthen your case.
Types of Compensation You May be Entitled to as a Passenger
It is natural to wonder what your options are after an accident and how much money a passenger in a car accident can get. If you have sustained injuries or losses as a passenger, you are entitled to receive compensation to help stabilize your finances.
Depending on your situation, there are three types of compensation that you may be able to claim:
- Economic damages compensate you for your medical expenses and medications, future treatments, and reduced or lost earnings from not being able to work.
- Non-economic damages compensate you for the emotional distress, pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and reduced quality of life, enjoyment, or companionship.
- Punitive damages compensate you above and beyond economic and non-economic damages in the event that your injury or loss is severe and caused by excessive negligence by the offending party. You can only receive punitive damages if you take your case to trial and a judge awards you additional support. You may not include a request for punitive damages in your initial car accident claim.
Speak with a Long Island personal injury lawyer about the specifics of your situation to determine what damages you may be entitled to seek. There are many factors that are considered when determining compensation, and you do not want to leave any money on the table.
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A Car Accident Attorney is Ready to Fight for You
Passengers involved in car accidents have as much of a right to pursue accident settlements as drivers. However, it’s not always easy to know how much money a passenger can get after a car accident. Your right to support depends entirely on what losses you can prove you sustained due to someone else’s negligence.
You can work with a Long Island car accident lawyer to argue for your right to support based on your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses. It doesn’t matter whether you want to fight for support in or out of civil court. Levine And Wiss is on your side and prepared to create a strategy tailored to your circumstances.
You can book a free car accident case assessment with our attorneys today.
