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INJURY ATTORNEY
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Over $7,475,000 recovered for clients in 2017 alone!
Passenger Motor Vehicle Attorney in Oceanside
Oceanside Passenger Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Some 10 million people are involved in car accidents each year in the US, resulting in over 2 million people being injured. A large portion of those were passengers like yourself. With traumatic memories, physical pain, and worries over medical bills and lost wages, the days and weeks following a motor vehicle accident are stressful and perhaps frightening. As with any injury accident, you need to follow the same basic steps after a car accident.
- Get medical attention.
- Report the incident to Oceanside police and insurers.
- Make sure that complete documentation is collected, including photos, notes, and witness contact information.
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before discussing details of the accident, particularly those concerning liability and settlement.
Unlike the driver of the car, passengers are only very rarely assigned even partial liability. So anyone injured as a passenger in a car or other motor vehicle accident is entitled to full compensation regardless of which driver is at fault. There’s a good chance you’re feeling uncomfortable aggressively pursuing fair compensation — the driver may well be a friend or family member. Always keep in mind that you’re dealing with their insurance company, and that the insurer is your opponent in achieving an appropriate settlement that fully covers all your expenses.
You Pay Nothing Unless Compensation is Recovered!
Accident Liability and Your Rights
One or both drivers may be found at fault, with damages awarded on the basis of that liability. Third parties may also be held liable for car accidents, such as in cases of mechanical defects. But a passenger is almost never at fault. The very few exceptions include choosing to ride with a driver that is known to be drunk or otherwise impaired, or actively interfering with the driver. Otherwise passengers involved in the accident should receive full compensation. If those responsible were uninsured or under-insured you can also receive compensation from your own automobile insurance policy. If insurers fail to provide a fair settlement, you have the right to sue any or all responsible parties.
The Rights of Injury Victims
If you were injured and the other driver was negligent, you have the right to receive insurance compensation for all medical bills and rehabilitation expenses. You will also have the right to compensation for other types of losses like lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and potentially, loss of companionship.
It is important to protect your rights. You can do that by hiring an experienced car accident attorney that knows what your rights are and how to get you compensated. Initial settlement offers from insurance companies are almost always far less than what is fair and just. If you accept a low-ball initial offer, you may be setting yourself up for a financial crisis. Few people can properly anticipate all the expenses associated with ongoing disabilities. But a personal injury attorney recognizes and knows how to evaluate those losses and present them to the insurance company in a persuasive manner.
Full Compensation
If you’ve been injured as a passenger, the responsible driver’s insurance company, or some combination of insurers, should fully pay for medical expenses. That includes rehabilitation and the costs associated with any long-term disability. A fair settlement also covers lost wages while you recover as well as any reduction in future earning ability. Invariably, compensation also includes pain and suffering.
Any insurance policy will have total claim limits, and your claim may be one of several. With shared liability and more than one insurance company involved, bringing a claim can get complicated. An experienced personal injury lawyer is a skilled negotiator that fully understands all the intricacies of bringing an injury claim. If necessary, the Skolnick Law Group can file a lawsuit against any and all responsible parties.
WE FIGHT TO WIN FOR YOU
OUR RESULTS
Russell S. Kohn and Suzanne Skolnick Attorneys Kohn and Skolnick represented a 60-year-old man in an under insured motorist claim against Farmers. After reduction for the worker’s compensation benefits and the third party recovery, Judge Hoffman’s net award totaled $520,000.
Our Recent WinsSkolnick Law Group
If you’ve been injured as a passenger in a car accident our law firm is just 5 miles away and we’re happy to take evening and weekend appointments.
We’re Oceanside’s personal injury law attorneys with a successful track record in dealing with complex combinations of liability and insurance coverage to achieve the highest compensation for our clients. You’ll work directly one-on-one with a compassionate attorney who will thoroughly investigate the incident then negotiate an out-of-court settlement or file and prosecute a court case.
We start with a free consultation to answer your questions and guide you through the legal process. You pay us nothing unless compensation for you is recovered.
