Distasio Law Firm has represented injured people in Florida since 2006. Our Wesley Chapel passenger injury lawyers take the time to determine how a collision happened, identify the insurance coverage available, and build a claim around the injuries and losses you actually experienced. You also have direct access to your attorney throughout your case.
If you need a car accident lawyer in Wesley Chapel, contact us today for a free consultation. We can review the collision and explain your options under Florida law.
Who Pays When a Passenger Is Injured in a Wesley Chapel Crash?
Being a passenger does not automatically tell you which insurance company is responsible for your losses. Liability depends on who caused the collision, while the insurance available to you can depend on several separate factors.
Your claim may involve:
- The driver of the vehicle in which you were riding.
- Another driver who caused or contributed to the collision.
- Multiple drivers who share responsibility.
- A commercial driver’s employer in appropriate cases.
- A rideshare insurance policy when you were traveling through a service such as Uber or Lyft.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage when applicable.
Our Wesley Chapel personal injury lawyers review each potential source of recovery rather than assuming one policy will cover all of your losses.
For a free legal consultation with a Passenger Injury Lawyer serving Wesley Chapel, call (813) 259 0022
Can You File a Claim Against the Driver of the Car You Were Riding In?
Yes, if that driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to pursue a claim against the applicable insurance coverage even if the driver is a friend, relative, coworker, or someone else you know.
We understand why this can feel uncomfortable. In many cases, the claim is handled through insurance rather than through a request for the driver to personally pay your medical expenses and other losses.
A passenger injury attorney in Wesley Chapel can examine the policy, the facts of the collision, and any other available coverage before you decide how to proceed.
Wesley Chapel Passenger Injury Lawyer Near Me (813) 259 0022
How Does PIP Insurance Work for an Injured Passenger in Florida?
Florida’s Personal Injury Protection system can apply to passengers, but the source of PIP benefits depends on your insurance circumstances.
For example, your own PIP policy may apply if you own an insured vehicle. Different rules may apply if you do not own a vehicle and are not entitled to PIP benefits through another applicable policy. We review your insurance status and the policies covering the vehicle before determining where to file a PIP claim.
Florida law also generally requires that initial medical services and care be provided within 14 days of the motor vehicle collision for PIP medical benefits. For that reason, delaying medical evaluation can affect both your health and available insurance benefits.
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Passenger Claims After Uber and Lyft Accidents
Rideshare passenger cases require a close look at the driver’s status at the time of the crash. Florida law imposes different insurance requirements depending on whether a transportation network company driver is simply logged into the app or is engaged in a prearranged ride.
When a driver is transporting a passenger as part of a prearranged ride, Florida law requires primary automobile liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage. Other required coverage also applies under the statute.
As your Wesley Chapel passenger injury attorneys, we can seek information showing:
- Whether the driver was logged into the rideshare platform.
- Whether a ride had been accepted.
- Whether the passenger was already in the vehicle.
- Which insurance policy was active at the time.
- Whether another driver contributed to the crash.
- Whether uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply.
These records can help establish which insurer should receive the claim.
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What Losses Can an Injured Passenger Claim?
Depending on your injuries and the available coverage, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses.
- Future medical and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost income.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Other accident-related financial losses.
- Pain, suffering, mental anguish, and inconvenience when Florida’s statutory requirements are satisfied.
Florida law limits recovery of pain and suffering and similar noneconomic damages in covered motor vehicle cases unless the injury meets one of the statutory categories.
These categories include permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
How Long Do Passengers Have to File an Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida generally provides two years to file an action based on negligence. The deadline can depend on the facts of the case, and other time limits may apply in certain situations.
You should also consider the practical cost of waiting. Video may be erased, witnesses can become harder to locate, and physical evidence can disappear.
Speaking with a passenger injury attorney in Wesley Chapel soon after a collision gives us a better opportunity to preserve evidence and review the applicable deadlines.
Why Choose Our Wesley Chapel Passenger Injury Lawyers at Distasio Law Firm?
Passenger cases can involve several drivers, insurers, and competing arguments about responsibility. We handle that legal work while keeping you informed about your case.
When we represent you, we can:
- Investigate how the collision occurred.
- Determine which drivers may be legally responsible.
- Review available insurance policies and coverage.
- Gather medical, wage, and other records documenting your losses.
- Communicate with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Prepare the case for litigation when a fair resolution is not offered.
We are not a settlement mill. We have the resources to stand up to insurance companies and other large organizations, and we provide the personal attention we believe every client should receive.
Talk to a Wesley Chapel Passenger Injury Lawyer Today
If you were hurt while riding in someone else’s vehicle, you may have the right to seek compensation. Our passenger injury lawyers in Wesley Chapel can review your crash and explain the legal options available to you.
Contact Distasio Law Firm today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you don’t have to pay attorney fees upfront.
Call or text (813) 259 0022 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form