Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Handling Passenger Injuries
Attorney Coby L. Wooten fights for the compensation you deserve
A car accident affects more than the drivers who are involved. Passengers in the cars can also be affected. They can be left with serious injuries. They may miss time from work just as their medical expenses are adding up. Injured passengers in a car accident deserve financial compensation, but the legal process can be very complicated.
Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C. has been fighting for the injured for decades, litigating cases throughout Texas and the United States. He has won sizable verdicts and negotiated large settlements for clients. That includes $780,000 for a crash with a drunk driver and $750,000 for a commercial vehicle accident. He knows the challenges facing injured passengers and is ready to fight for your rights.
A car accident can affect passengers physically, emotionally and financially. They can be left with serious injuries and find their lives have been turned upside down. Medical expenses add up very quickly and can become overwhelming.
“Coby has represented me two different occasions. He was thorough and diligent in negotiating a resolution to my case. I am very please with the outcome and would definitely recommend him to anyone.” – SD,
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Google Average Rating: 4.9/5 stars, 131 reviews
Frequently asked questions about passenger injuries
- What are my rights as a passenger in a car accident in Texas?
- Who pays my medical bills?
- What are common Uber and Lyft passenger injuries?
- Can a passenger file a claim after a car accident?
- What if I was a passenger in a drunk driving or speeding crash?
- What if my children were the passengers in a car accident?
- What steps should passengers take after a car accident?
- How much is my passenger injury settlement worth?
- How can a lawyer help injured passengers?
What are my rights as a passenger in a car accident in Texas?
As a passenger involved in a car accident, you have the right to pursue legal action against the party who caused your accident. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover compensation for economic damages like medical bills, lost income, and other objectively measurable costs, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. This is true whether the at-fault driver is the driver of the vehicle you were in or the driver of another vehicle involved in the wreck.
Who pays my medical bills?
It depends on the circumstances. Usually, in Texas, the at-fault driver is responsible for the cost of the accident, including your medical bills. You can file a third-party liability claim with that driver’s insurance company. You also have the right to seek compensation through a lawsuit.
Complications may arise if you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident. There are two insurance policies that can possibly cover your medical bills: the Uber driver’s personal auto insurance or the rideshare company’s insurance. If another vehicle was involved, that vehicle’s insurance may also be liable. These cases are complex and may require legal action, so it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney to learn your legal options.
If the vehicle you were in has medical payments coverage (MedPay), then you may also be able to get your medical bills covered under that policy, regardless of fault. This is an optional type of insurance in Texas.
What are common Uber and Lyft passenger injuries?
Rideshare passengers have no control over how their driver or others on the road behave. When a crash happens, even at low speeds, passengers can suffer serious injuries. Some injuries are immediately obvious, while others take time to appear.
Here are some of the most common injuries Uber and Lyft passengers experience in accidents:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and back pain
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
As a passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident, you have the right to file a claim for compensation. Whether your rideshare driver or another driver caused the crash, you may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses. Here are some common scenarios when a passenger can file an Uber or Lyft accident claim:
- If the Uber or Lyft driver was at fault, their personal auto insurance or the rideshare company’s $1 million liability policy may apply.
- If another driver caused the crash, their auto insurance should cover your injuries.
- If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, Uber or Lyft’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may step in.
- If multiple parties share fault, your claim could involve several insurance policies.
Since rideshare accidents often involve multiple insurance companies, it’s important to have a lawyer review your case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Can a passenger file a claim after a car accident?
A passenger can file a claim after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. In Texas, passengers have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages from the responsible party’s insurance. If an Uber or Lyft driver caused the accident, the rideshare company’s insurance policy may cover the claim, but if another driver was at fault, their insurance should provide compensation.
In cases where multiple parties share responsibility or if the at-fault driver is uninsured, filing a claim can become more complex, requiring legal guidance to navigate the process effectively. Attorney Coby L. Wooten can help injured passengers by handling insurance negotiations, gathering evidence, and pursuing full compensation on their behalf.
What if I was a passenger in a drunk driving or speeding crash?
Passengers injured in accidents caused by drunk or reckless drivers often suffer severe, life-altering injuries. In this case, you may have a strong claim for compensation. Texas has strict laws against impaired driving, but insurance companies still try to avoid paying full compensation.
Even when high-speed crashes result in devastating injuries, insurance companies often downplay the severity of damages. If a drunk or reckless driver caused your injuries, legal action may be necessary to hold them accountable. Additionally, in DUI cases, a bar or restaurant that over-served the driver may also share liability under Texas dram shop laws.
Attorney Coby L. Wooten will explore all legal avenues available to you, so you get the full compensation you’re entitled to.
What if my children were the passengers in a car accident?
As far as the legal system is concerned, there are several differences for an accident involving children. First, a child cannot bring a lawsuit on their own; their parent or guardian must file the lawsuit on their behalf. Technically, your child will usually have two years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit, but practically speaking, it’s very difficult if not impossible to gather the evidence needed to win a car accident claim long after the accident itself. So, unless the child happens to be very close to their 18th birthday when the accident happens, their parent or guardian needs to take prompt legal action on their behalf.
Having an attorney is particularly important in cases involving children to ensure that the child’s interests are protected. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem to make sure the legal process benefits the child’s needs instead of the parents’ needs.
In addition, when a child is injured, there are special considerations for how the accident may have affected the child’s growth and development. An attorney can help you navigate this situation and advocate for full compensation for your child.
What steps should passengers take after a car accident?
If you’re injured in a car accident, taking the right steps can protect your health and strengthen your claim:
- Call 911: Report the accident and request medical assistance if needed. A police report can serve as valuable evidence.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and any relevant road conditions or traffic signs.
- Get driver information: Obtain the name, contact details, and insurance information of all drivers involved.
- Get witness statements: If anyone saw the crash, ask for their contact information. Witnesses can help support your claim.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, see a doctor. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, take time to appear.
- Never accept a quick settlement: Insurance companies may offer a low payout that doesn’t fully cover your expenses. Speak with a lawyer before agreeing to anything.
- Contact an experienced Fort Worth rideshare accident lawyer: Attorney Coby L. Wooten can guide you through the claims process, deal with insurance adjusters, and fight for fair compensation.
How much is my passenger injury settlement worth?
Passengers often wonder how much their claim is worth. Passenger injury settlements and verdicts vary based on injury severity, medical expenses, and long-term impact. While no two cases are identical, some general figures include:
- Minor injuries: $10,000-$50,000
- Moderate injuries (broken bones, concussions, soft tissue damage): $50,000-$200,000
- Severe injuries (spinal injuries, brain trauma, long-term disability): $200,000+
Insurance companies often downplay injuries and offer low settlements. Having an experienced Fort Worth rideshare accident lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
How can a lawyer help injured passengers?
If you were injured as a passenger in a crash, you may not know where to turn. Insurance companies are not on your side. They will try to find ways to limit your compensation. For example, they may question the seriousness of your injuries. They may seek access to your medical records to look for evidence that your injuries were pre-existing. They may offer you a lowball settlement that falls far short of covering the damages you suffered.
While dealing with an insurance claim while you’re already suffering from injuries and financial loss can be devastating, you have rights that should be upheld. That’s where Coby L. Wooten and his legal team come in.
Our firm builds strong cases that insurance companies can’t ignore so they will take your claim seriously. We have investigators who look closely at your accident to get the facts. We carefully review accident reports and medical records. We interview witnesses and, if needed, consult accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists.
An experienced attorney who fights for injured passengers
If a negligent driver caused the accident that left them injured, passengers have the right to take legal action to recover compensation. In some cases, they may feel awkward about that, because the negligent driver was a friend or family member driving the car that they were in at the time of the crash.
It is important to remember that taking legal action to recover compensation is not about getting the driver into trouble. You are simply trying to get the insurance company to meet their responsibilities. Attorney Coby L. Wooten fights the insurance companies to get them to pay you the compensation you deserve.
Call today for a free case evaluation
Attorney Coby L. Wooten knows how to build a case that proves a driver’s negligence left you injured. He determines the total damages you have suffered and demands compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, lost wages if you couldn’t work and other damages, such as pain and suffering.
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means there no upfront fees or other costs. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
If you were injured in a car accident as a passenger in Fort Worth, call the attorney with a proven track record of success. Learn more about how attorney Coby L. Wooten can help. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. He can review the details of your accident, go over your legal options and answer any questions you have.