Auto Accident Passenger Injuries
People who are riding in motor vehicles being driven by other parties are powerless to avoid devastating crashes, but they can sustain some of the most serious injuries in such accidents. When a passenger is injured in any collision in Pennsylvania, he or she can be overwhelmed by not only his or her own physical recovery but also the complex nature of getting bills paid.
Every accident is different, and there may be multiple insurance policies that can help cover a passenger’s medical bills, lost wages, and other compensation. Many passengers involved in these types of crashes are reluctant to make personal injury claims that they fear will cause financial harm to a friend or family member, but the parties that are typically bearing the financial responsibility in these cases are the insurance companies.
West Chester Passenger Injuries Lawyer
Did you suffer catastrophic injuries while riding in a motor vehicle that was involved in an accident? You will want to be sure that you are being represented by an experienced passenger injury attorney who will not settle for the easiest outcome and who will instead negotiate strongly on your behalf.
Ciccarelli Law Offices helps crash victims in communities such as West Chester, Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Lancaster, Kennett Square, Radnor, Plymouth Square, and Malvern. Our attorneys understand the effects that these kinds of injuries can have on every aspect of your life, and we will fight to have you adequately compensated so you do not have to sacrifice your happiness or personal recovery goals.
We will do what is necessary to make sure that you get a fair result that accounts for all of your past, present, and future needs. We can provide a thorough evaluation of your case when you call (610) 719-3190 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Pennsylvania Passenger Injuries Information Center
- What kinds of injuries can passengers sustain?
- Which parties can victims obtain damages from?
- What kinds of difficulties are passengers likely to face when filing injury claims?
- Where can I find more information about this subject?
Common Types of Passenger Injuries in Chester County
Passengers in motor vehicle accidents can sustain any one of a number of debilitating injuries that result in significant immediate and long-term difficulties. Victims could be out of work for months while rehabilitating, but they could also be completely unable to ever return to their jobs or possibly even regain any regular employment.
Our firm handles claims for such injuries as:
- Amputation
- Burn Injuries
- Herniated Discs
- Internal Organ Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Severe Fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Types of Compensation for Pennsylvania Passenger Injuries
Depending on the specific circumstances involved in the crash, a passenger could be able to file a personal injury claim against one of the following policies:
- Driver’s Auto Insurance Policy — Even if the driver of the car was not at fault, the passenger in his or her car can be covered under the terms of that driver’s insurance.
- Passenger’s Auto Insurance Policy — A passenger may be able to obtain compensation against his or her own auto insurance even if he or she was not driving.
- Passenger’s Health Insurance Policy — If necessary, a passenger could get help from his or her own health insurance to pay for medical expenses once he or she has reached the limits of an auto insurance policy.
Another avenue that passengers have for financial compensation is the ability to file lawsuits against negligent drivers in these cases. Lawsuits may be the first option in cases in which insurance policies have low limits or passengers were not covered under the terms of certain policies. It is enormously important for all passengers who have suffered any kind of injuries in motor vehicle accidents to seek legal representation right away, as the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania only allows victims two years to file an injury claim.
Common Issues with Insurance Claims for Passenger Injuries
Insurance companies want to resolve injury claims for as little as possible. For this reason, agents and claims adjusters will frequently pressure victims to accept settlements that are usually much less than the amounts these people deserve. While settlements may initially sound appealing, victims need to remember that severe injuries can involve several years of significant medical bills and any settlement should factor in these costs.
A few of the other common tactics insurance companies use to deny or diminish claims include:
- Canceling policies after claims are made or denying claims because of past late payments
- Claiming lack of evidence to support injury claims
- Claiming passenger assumed the risk of injury
- Failing to investigate or pay claims in a timely manner
- Requiring victims to complete excessive paperwork
- Using evidence to challenge the severity of injury claims
Important Related Resources
Child Passenger Safety Traffic Safety Information Center — The page of this website from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s safe driving initiative, Just Drive PA, contains car seat recommendations and directories of child safety seat fitting stations and child safety seat loan programs. There are also downloadable Child Passenger Safety Publications as well as information about transportation for children with special needs and Pennsylvania’s seat belt law.
Ciccarelli Law Offices – A Passenger Injury Lawyer in Chester County, PA
If you sustained serious injuries while you were a passenger in another party’s motor vehicle, you could be entitled to compensation regardless of which driver was at fault. The passenger injury attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices work as a team and help injured people on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not charge anything unless we obtain a monetary award for the victim.
Our firm represents clients in and around Chester County, including Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Lancaster County, and Delaware County. Call (610) 692-8700 right now to take advantage of a free consultation that will let us review your case and discuss your legal options.
Contact Our PA Personal Injury Lawyers
We are a team of Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers our main offices located in West Chester, Chester County Pennsylvania and serving clients throughout the greater Philadelphia Metro Area including Lancaster County, Berks County, Bucks County, Delaware County and Montgomery County. If your family has been victimized by the negligence of another and you are seeking a free initial consult on you rights and possible claims, it is crucial you speak to an experienced Pennsylvania Injury lawyers in order to ensure your rights are protected and to review all of your legal options with you.
The Injury attorneys of Ciccarelli Law Offices have successfully represented individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania that have been injured in accidents. Our Chester County based law firm is based at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380 and serves clients throughout Pennsylvania including but not limited to in Kennett Square, Downingtown, West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, Chester Springs, Chadds Ford, Landenberg, Lancaster, Media, Harrisburg, Reading, Philadelphia, Honey Brook, Oxford, Malvern, Parkesburg, Phoenixville and Paoli. Contact us now at (610) 692-8700 or call toll free (877) 529-2422. Don’t wait—contact an attorney immediately.