A driver isn’t the only one who can become injured as a result of a New Orleans car accident. In many instances, their passengers sustain serious injuries as well.
Passengers injured in Louisiana car accidents have the same rights as drivers to seek compensation for the damages caused by their injuries from the at-fault driver. These damages often include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Like the driver, a passenger can file a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company and, if settlement negotiations aren’t successful, sue for damages.
Louisiana Car Insurance Requirements
Louisiana state law requires all registered owners of an automobile to carry liability insurance. This coverage pays for any personal injury or property damage for which a driver may be legally responsible. Each vehicle is required to have 15/30/25 liability limits:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to one person,
- $30,000 for bodily injury to more than one person in a single accident, and
- $25,000 coverage for damage to someone else’s vehicle or other property.
If you were a passenger who was injured in a Louisiana car accident, it’s important to protect your rights to secure the total compensation you are owed for your injuries. The best way to protect your rights is to hire a New Orleans personal injury attorney with extensive experience in pursuing car accident claims. That’s because collecting compensation as a passenger may be a little more complicated than as a driver.
It’s Important to Identify Who Was At-Fault
The problem is, liability is not always clear after a car accident. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation for your accident-related damages from the:
- At-fault driver of the other car
- Owner of the car driven by the at-fault party
- Driver of the car that you were riding in at the time of the collision
- Owner of the car that you were riding in at the time of the collision
- Employer of the at-fault party
It’s very possible for more than one party to share fault for an accident. The court may determine that the driver of the other car was 70 percent responsible for the accident while the driver of the car you were riding in shared 30 percent of the blame. Therefore you may have claims against multiple parties. Your attorney will be able to help you identify all the parties that were responsible for your accident and seek appropriate compensation.
JJC Law is Here to Help After a New Orleans Car Accident
If you have been injured in a Louisiana car accident, JJC Law is here to help. Our New Orleans car accident lawyers have represented clients all over Orleans Parish, and the entire state of Louisiana who have been injured as a result of a car accident that was the fault of another driver. JJC Law has recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
Speak to JJC Law before you agree to any settlement with the insurance company. The insurance companies are in business to make money and the settlements they offer may pay for your immediate expenses but rarely cover the entire costs of your injuries, especially if you are unable to return to full employment and require ongoing medical treatment.
JJC Law is dedicated to ensuring you get the total compensation you are due for the losses caused by your injuries. Contact us online or call us at (504) 513-8820 to schedule a free, initial consultation to discuss your case. We handle car accident cases on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs for our representation and we collect our fee as a percentage of your final cash settlement.