When you’re asking yourself, “I was a passenger in a car accident, who do I sue?” the answer comes down to who was negligent. GOLDLAW has helped thousands of South Florida passengers pursue the recovery they need after a crash.
A West Palm Beach car accident lawyer can trace every party that contributed to your injuries. Fault can land on one driver, two drivers, or even a third party unconnected to your vehicle.
Passengers may also have access to PIP benefits before a liability claim begins. The available policies, the cause of the collision, and the extent of the injuries will determine where the claim goes next.
Who Is Responsible When a Passenger Gets Hurt in South Florida?
The driver of the car you were riding in may carry liability if their actions caused the crash. Common examples include running a red light, excessive speed, and distracted driving. Florida law holds drivers to a reasonable standard of care for everyone in their vehicle.
Responsibility does not always fall on the driver of the car carrying the passenger. Another driver may have caused the crash by following too closely or moving into traffic without enough room. Florida law also allows liability to be divided when the actions of both drivers contributed to the collision.
Third parties can also bear responsibility in certain crashes. A trucking company may be liable if their driver was on duty, and a vehicle manufacturer could face accountability for a defective part that contributed to the impact. A West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer at GOLDLAW can identify every responsible party in your claim.
For a free legal consultation, call 561-222-2222
Florida Law and What Passengers Need to Know
Florida uses a no–fault insurance system, so an injured passenger may receive PIP benefits before anyone decides who caused the crash. The policy that applies depends on the coverage available through the passenger, the household, or the vehicle involved.
Florida Statute § 627.736 sets the rules for those benefits. PIP generally pays 80% of covered medical expenses and 60% of covered lost income. Medical benefits may reach $10,000 after timely care and a finding of an emergency medical condition.
PIP may leave part of a passenger’s losses unpaid. The driver who caused the crash may be responsible for that amount. Pain and suffering is handled differently because Florida law requires proof of a qualifying injury.
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What to Do Right After a Car Accident in South Florida
The steps you take in the hours and days after a crash can affect your ability to recover damages later. Some actions protect your health, and others protect your legal claim.
These are the steps passengers should take after a South Florida car accident:
- Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms.
- Call 911 and wait for police to arrive. A police report creates an official record of the crash.
- Get the names, contact information, and insurance details of every driver involved.
- Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney.
- Write down what you remember before details start to fade.
GOLDLAW recommends that passengers follow these steps carefully. These records can help an attorney verify how the crash happened and connect the passenger’s injuries to the collision.
Call or text 561-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
What Damages Can Passengers Recover After a South Florida Crash?
A passenger injury claim may include the medical care required after the crash and the income lost during recovery. When the injuries require ongoing treatment or limit future work, the claim may also account for costs that continue long after the initial bills arrive.
A serious injury can also affect the parts of life that do not come with a receipt. A passenger may struggle with movement, sleep, or the routines they followed before the crash. Florida law may allow recovery for those changes through pain and suffering damages.
No two passenger claims will have the same value. The amount depends on the medical findings and the effect the injury has had on work and daily life. GOLDLAW uses that information to show how the crash changed the passenger’s circumstances.
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A West Palm Beach Car Accident Attorney Can Talk About Your Options
Every passenger injury case comes with its own set of facts, and the right legal strategy depends on those specifics. GOLDLAW takes the time to sit with clients, review the crash details, and map out a plan based on what actually happened rather than a cookie-cutter approach.
A passenger does not always know which driver caused the collision. A West Palm Beach car accident attorney can compare the drivers’ accounts with the damage and other available evidence. That process helps identify the party whose actions led to the passenger’s injuries.
The attorney can also explain how Florida’s filing deadline applies to the claim. Most injured passengers have two years from the crash date to sue, so waiting too long may leave important questions about fault and coverage unresolved.
Speak With GOLDLAW About Your Passenger Injury Claim
If you have been asking, “I was a passenger in a car accident, who do I sue?” the answer starts with the facts of your crash. Our team listens to what happened, reviews the evidence, and maps out every avenue of recovery available to you.
We hold accountable those who hurt others™. Our team stands behind passengers who need someone in their corner and pursues every liable party. A West Palm Beach car accident lawyer from our firm brings more than 200 years of combined legal experience to every case.
We have recovered more than $1 billion for clients across South Florida, and we treat every passenger we represent with the same care we would give a member of our own family. Get GOLDLAW and get the help you need and compensation you deserve.
