Are there Legal Options for Injured Passengers in Kansas?
If you are a passenger in a vehicle involved in a car accident, you have several options in terms of getting compensation for your injuries.
Car accidents can end up leaving you with serious and potentially debilitating injuries, regardless of the severity of the crash or where you were sitting at in the vehicle when it occurred. If you are a passenger in one of these collisions, you may be wondering where to turn to get compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages you have suffered. While Kansas is known as a ‘no fault’ insurance state, you do have options for recovery, particularly if the reckless and negligent actions of another were ultimately responsible for causing your car accident and injuries.
Car Accident Passenger Injuries and Insurance Claims
The Kansas Insurance Department advises that all motorists are required to carry automobile insurance on their vehicles in the event that car accidents resulting in property damages and injuries occur. This includes the following types of coverage:
- Liability coverage: Up to $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident, which pays for car accidents in which the insured is at fault;
- Personal injury protection: Known as PIP or ‘no fault’ insurance, covers up to $4,500 in medical expenses and up to $900 per month in disability to drivers and their passengers, regardless of who was to blame;
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Pays up to $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident to drivers and passengers in collisions where the other driver was not covered.
If you are involved in a car accident as a passenger in a vehicle, you may be entitled to file a claim against the insurer of the person driving the car you were in, as well as against other drivers responsible for the accident. If you have your own car and carry PIP insurance, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company as well.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against the At Fault Driver
Unfortunately, filing a claim for passenger injuries as the result of a car accident can prove challenging. In addition to dealing with multiple insurers who may attempt to deny or downplay your claim, the actual coverage limits are unlikely to fully compensate you for the damages you have suffered.
According to studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even relatively minor injuries can end up costing tens of thousands in medical expenses and lost wages. This is in addition to compensation for the pain and suffering you endured, which is not included as part of an insurance claim. To ensure you get the maximum amount you will need to cover both your current costs and any future losses you are likely to incur, the best course of action may be to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Let Us Help You Today
When you suffer car accident injuries as a passenger in a vehicle, you need professional legal representation to ensure your rights are protected. Contact Neustrom & Associates and request a consultation to discuss your case and the options available with our Salina car accident attorneys today.