Passenger Rights in a Florida Traffic Collision

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that in 2021 there were a total of 401,183 Florida traffic accidents across the state. The number of crashes in the state of Florida in 2021 was up significantly from the previous year. In 2020, there were a total of 341,399 crashes. These collisions not only produced a significant amount of injuries but also fatalities. Florida saw an increase in fatal accidents from 3,098 in 2020 to 3,472 in 2021. This deadly trend is not just unique to Florida, as across the entire country, the rate of deadly crashes has also increased significantly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that there was a 10.5% increase in fatal crashes across the United States from 2020 to 2021.

We often think of fatal and injury crashes only involving the driver. While the driver may be impacted with injuries or death in a crash, they may not be alone. Many people travel with at least one other passenger in their car if not more. Think of a mom going to and from school and extracurricular activities, for example. Here, she may not only have at least one of her own children in the car but potentially friends. This is why the number of crashes that are reported as a whole does not reflect the total number of people affected.

What Can a Passenger Do to Recover Costs After a Crash?

When looking at government reports of crash statistics the total number of fatal and injury traffic collisions for a year is generally less than the actual number of fatalities and injuries. This is because, in any given vehicle, there may be more than just the driver who is impacted by the crash. For example, in 2021 Florida had a total of 3,472 fatal crashes but there were 3,774 fatalities. Likewise, there were 163,829 total injury crashes but these incidents produced significantly more injuries at upwards of 252,782. 

There are many people other than drivers that sustain some amount of harm in crashes every year, and for that matter, every day. And while it is often thought about driver’s rights and abilities to recover compensation what is not talked about as regularly are those rights and means that passengers may have to recover costs for losses they too, suffered.

As a passenger, you have rights and can recover compensation for your damages. In Florida, a passenger may be able to recover damages from either the driver of the car they were in when the crash happened or another driver who may have caused the crash. If another party caused the crash this could be a private driver or a government entity.

Speak with a Florida Car Accident Attorney Today

Being a passenger is not a limiting factor in obtaining compensation for harm after a crash. If you were injured in a car accident in Florida or if you lost a loved one, you can obtain more information on what you can do to recover your losses by calling the Tampa car accident attorneys at Fulgencio Law at (813) 463-0123. Initial consultations are always complimentary.