Suppose you were riding as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle and were involved in an accident. In that case, you may be wondering who is responsible for covering your expenses related to the accident. The answer is, it could be several different parties depending on what factors caused the crash.
To determine who you can hold liable for compensating you for your injuries and losses, you need to know who was responsible for causing the accident. If you recently suffered injuries in a car accident in Wichita Falls, TX, and you have questions, contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins at (877) 239-4878 for answers.
Which Driver Caused the Accident?
According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), when a driver is responsible for causing an accident, they are liable for covering the damage they cause. Therefore, if your driver caused the accident, their insurance company would be responsible for covering your injuries and other losses. If another driver caused the car accident, you would need to file your claim with their insurer.
For a free legal consultation with a Passenger Vehicle Accidents lawyer serving Wichita Falls, call 877-239-4878
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Texas
Because Texas requires drivers to carry insurance coverage along with certain limits, you generally can collect up to these amounts given your injuries and losses entitle you to it. The Office of Public Insurance Counsel says that drivers in Texas must carry the following insurance coverage:
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage will pay for the damage an at-fault driver causes to another person’s property, as well as the injuries they cause others to suffer. Drivers in Texas are required to carry the following:
- $30,000 per person for the bodily injuries they suffer, or up to $60,000 per accident; and
- $25,000 for property damage per accident.
These are only the minimum limits a driver must carry. The motorist responsible for covering your injuries and losses may have opted to purchase a more expensive policy with higher limits. To find out if you are entitled to recover compensation using a driver’s liability coverage, you should consider working with a Wichita Falls passenger vehicle accident attorney.
Wichita Falls Passenger Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-239-4878
Other Types of Insurance Coverage for Passenger Injuries
Although Texas only requires drivers to carry liability coverage, that doesn’t mean additional coverages didn’t protect those involved in the accident. There are plenty of other insurance plans available for Texas drivers to purchase. These might cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages suffered due to the collision.
Such policies include:
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
PIP coverage covers not only the owner of the vehicle but also their family members and even passengers. PIP coverage will cover 80% of lost income and pay for some medical expenses related to the accident. The benefit of PIP coverage is that it applies regardless of who causes an accident.
If you need more information on recovering benefits under a driver’s PIP coverage, you can contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins at (877) 239-4878 to receive a case review.
Medical Payments (Med Pay)
Med Pay is another type of coverage that may pay for an injured passenger’s medical expenses. If your driver had this coverage at the time of the accident, it might cover your medical care, regardless of who caused the crash.
Contact our Wichita Falls Passenger Vehicle Accident Attorneys today
When To Hire a Wichita Falls Passenger Car Accident Lawyer
Anytime someone is involved in an accident while riding as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, we recommend they speak with an attorney following the collision. Car crashes are traumatic events that may leave victims suffering, in pain, and confused about what to do next.
A car accident attorney can add some clarity to the situation, help you feel more confident in understanding your rights, and ease your stress. In addition to providing you with some basic information about car crashes, a lawyer will also help you with the following:
Helping You Understand Which Insurance Policies Apply to You
Depending on how serious your injuries are, you may be entitled to recover compensation from both carriers if one party doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Dealing With the Insurance Companies so That You Don’t Have To
Once a lawyer has established that you are entitled to recover compensation from the insurance company, it can be a burden to respond to the company’s requests, answer confusing questions, and make decisions without adequate information.
You might decide to have an attorney handle all of this for you to prevent you from saying something that the insurer could later use against you (or convince you to accept a settlement that undervalues your damages). This way, the insurer won’t be allowed to take advantage of your vulnerability and can’t trick you into saying something on record that could lower your settlement amount.
Helping You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you aren’t able to recover the compensation you need from the insurance company, and you suffered serious injuries, a Wichita Falls passenger vehicle accident lawyer could help you. You could file a personal injury lawsuit that would allow you to request the damages you are eligible to receive.
This might include money for:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
To learn more about filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, call in the Strong Arm by contacting Loncar Lyon Jenkins at (877) 239-4878. We’re ready to help injured passengers claim the compensation they deserve.
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