On Saturday, July 11, four people were injured, and one person lost their life when an automobile crashed into a church in North Miami. According to news reports, the North Miami police responded to a 911 call at 13995 West Dixie Highway in the early hours of Saturday morning. A woman called 911 when she heard a crash and saw people bleeding.
Five people were in a car that crashed into the rear of a small church. When police arrived, bystanders were helping some victims out of the car, and the other victims were trying to crawl out of the vehicle through the windows. The accident happened at about 2:00 a.m.
The North Miami Police Department continues to investigate the cause of the North Miami car accident.
All five occupants sustained injuries. One victim was transported to North Shore Medical Center. The remaining four victims were transported to Aventura Hospital and Medical Center.
The crash resulted in one fatality. The condition of the other victims is unknown. It is also unknown who was driving the vehicle when it crashed into the rear of the church.
Filing a Passenger Accident Claim
When a passenger is injured in a car crash, one or more parties could be liable for the passenger’s injuries and damages. Determining the cause of the crash is crucial for identifying who is responsible for the passenger’s claim.
The person driving the vehicle in which the passenger was riding could be liable for damages if that person caused the car accident. In a single-car accident, the driver of the vehicle is often responsible for causing the crash.
In accidents involving multiple vehicles, the passenger could have a claim against the driver of another vehicle if that driver was entirely responsible for causing the crash. If two or more drivers contributed to the cause of the accident, the passenger could file an injury claim against each driver who was partially at fault for causing the crash.
Sorting out fault for a passenger injury claim can be challenging. Talking to a car accident lawyer can help. A lawyer can review the claim to identify the party or parties who might be liable for your accident claim.
Common Passenger Injuries and Damages
Passengers in a car accident are generally innocent victims. A passenger does not have control over the driver’s actions. Therefore, passengers are generally not subjected to allegations of comparative fault.
In most car accident cases, a passenger is entitled to recover full compensation for all damages. Passenger damages include, but are not limited to:
- Medical expenses and bills
- Physical therapy and counseling
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost wages, benefits, and income
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Scarring and disabilities
- Decreases in earning potential
The damages in a passenger injury claim depend on the person’s injuries and financial losses. A passenger can sustain a catastrophic injury that results in permanent disabilities or minor bumps and bruises. In either case, it is essential to document your injuries after a car crash.
Documenting your injuries after a car wreck increases your chance of recovering compensation for your claim. Injuries that a passenger may sustain because of a car crash include:
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Organ damage
- Shoulder injuries
The steps you take after a car accident can also impact the value of your personal injury claim. Seeking immediate medical attention is vital for your health and your claim. Delays in medical care could give the insurance company a reason to undervalue or deny your injury claim.
What Should I Do if I am a Passenger in a Car Accident?
Make sure that the car accident is reported to the police. If neither party wants to report the accident, you can file an accident report. Having an official record of the car crash can help your case.
Complete your doctor’s treatment plan. Do not give an insurance company any reason to argue that you made your injuries more severe by failing to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Do not talk about the car accident with other parties, including the driver of the car you were riding at the time of the collision. Statements that you make could be used against you later in the case. It is best to only talk to a car accident attorney about your passenger injury claim.
Keep copies of all documents and make notes about all conversations regarding the accident and your injuries. If possible, take photographs of your injuries after the accident and as you hear. The more evidence you have to document your injuries and damages, the better chance you have of receiving the compensation you deserve for a passenger injury claim.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Miami, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami car accident lawyers at Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer
17295 NE 19th Ave
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
(305) 257-9464