Click to Schedule Your FREE Consultation Today Schedule Now

Morrin Law Office

Passenger Injury Attorney in Richmond, Kentucky

Being injured as a passenger can leave you facing medical bills, time away from work, and uncertainty about where to turn. While passengers are rarely at fault, insurance companies don’t always make the recovery process easy.

If you or a family member have experienced injuries or damages in an accident as a passenger, you may be eligible to seek compensation. Working with an experienced attorney can help you understand your options and claim damages. 

The lawyers at the Morrin Law Office are experienced personal injury lawyers. Contact us today for a free consultation at (859) 780-7573 to discuss your case.

Understanding Passenger Injury Claims in Kentucky 

A passenger injury is when an injury impacts a non-driver in a car crash. This includes when riding in a family car, a friend’s car, a work vehicle or a rideshare. You may have a claim regardless of whether the driver of the car you were in caused the crash, or if someone else caused it. 

Kentucky is what’s known as a “choice no-fault” state for auto insurance. That means most drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for immediate costs like medical bills and some lost wages after a crash, regardless of who caused the accident. 

If you own a vehicle, you were also given a choice to opt in or out of PIP. While you’ll use your own insurance first, once those benefits are used up, or if your injuries meet Kentucky’s “serious injury” threshold, you may also file a claim against the at-fault driver to recover your losses.

While Kentucky uses a Pure Comparative Negligence Rule, normally passengers bear no responsibility for a collision. 

An example of when you could bear some responsibility? If you weren’t wearing a seatbelt. If not wearing a seatbelt contributed to the severity of the crash, you may be found partially at fault for the injuries sustained.

Common Causes of Passenger Injuries

As a passenger, you have no control over the person driving the vehicle you’re in, or over the other drivers on the road. Some of the most common causes that lead to a passenger injury include:

  • Distracted driving (texting, eating, GPS)
  • Speeding and reckless driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Poor weather and road conditions
  • Multi-vehicle chain reactions

In Richmond, heavy traffic near Eastern Kentucky University, congested shopping corridors on the Eastern Bypass, and the steady flow of I-75 traffic can increase the likelihood of distracted or reckless driving accidents.

Will my driver’s insurance go up if I’m a passenger in a car accident? 

Typically, a passenger will not see an impact on their car insurance premiums after a car accident. Yet, if the crash causes severe injuries that require medical attention, you may see an increase on your health insurance premiums. 

Insurance companies can increase premiums simply because a claim was made against the policyholder’s coverage. An open claim acts as a piece of evidence for insurance companies that the insured individual is at a higher risk of injury.

For many passengers, pursuing compensation through a personal injury claim can be an important step in covering medical bills and ensuring recovery, even if insurance premiums increase later on. 

Typical Passenger Injuries in Auto Accidents 

While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common injuries after a car accident:

Early medical care is crucial to support your recovery and to pursue a legal claim.

Liability in Passenger Injury Cases

As we mentioned earlier, in a car crash, the passenger is almost never at fault. Some people or organizations that may be found liable include:

  • The driver of the car you were in
  • Another at-fault driver
  • Vehicle manufacturer
  • Parts manufacturer
  • A government organization working on the road
  • A third party (road maintenance issues, defective auto parts)

One or more of these parties may be found liable. According to Kentucky’s Pure Comparative Negligence Rule (KRS 411.182), settlements can be split between multiple responsible parties. Evidence plays a crucial role in determining fault which is why collecting crash reports, witness statements and medical records is so important. 

Insurance companies may delay or dispute claims when multiple policies are involved. So, it’s essential to work with a knowledgeable legal representative, which ensures someone is fighting for you, like the experienced attorneys at the Morrin Law Office.

Damages Available to Injured Passengers 

Each car accident is unique, and an attorney can help you understand the types of compensation that may be available in your case. 

Economic damages: Past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning potential.

Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, loss of companionship.

In extreme cases, family members may pursue a wrongful death to cover funeral costs and loss of consortium (companionship or support from a spouse). Catastrophic events like these, unfortunately, do happen. While a lawsuit will never bring a loved one back, it can help you begin to recover after a tragic crash.

Laws That May Impact Coverage

Kentucky drivers must carry a mandatory minimum liability coverage that includes $25,000 per person for bodily injury, with a total maximum of $50,000 per incident, plus $25,000 for property damage. Damages beyond those limits may be the responsibility of the party found liable for the accident unless they carry higher coverage. 

On top of liability, most drivers also carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) (mentioned earlier), which pays their own medical bills/lost wages regardless of fault up to $10,000. 

It’s important to note in Kentucky we use a “choice no-fault” system, which means drivers are automatically covered by no-fault insurance unless you choose to opt out when buying your policy. Under no-fault (also called PIP), you file a claim with your own insurance company after a crash, regardless of who caused it. 

PIP helps cover immediate costs like medical bills, lost wages, and some out-of-pocket expenses. These benefits apply to the policyholder and to passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

In the case of a catastrophic event, passengers may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Under KRS § 304.39-230, Kentuckians are allotted two years after an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation. 

The complexity of Kentucky’s accident laws makes it important to work with an experienced attorney who can guide you through next steps. At the Morrin Law Office, we can help you navigate this emotional and time-consuming process so you can focus on recovering. 

Steps to Take After a Passenger Injury Accident 

After a crash, injured passengers should seek medical care right away, report the accident to law enforcement, and collect key details like insurance, photos, and witness contacts. 

It’s important not to admit fault or make statements to insurance adjusters without legal guidance. 

The process of pursuing compensation begins with filing a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim, and an experienced attorney can help protect your rights before you sign anything with the insurance company.

How a Passenger Injury Attorney Fights For You

A passenger injury attorney investigates the cause of the accident, identifies every potentially liable party, and looks at all available insurance coverages. If multiple insurers are involved, your lawyer can file claims with each one and manage all communication to protect you from lowball settlement offers. 

Your legal representative will also work with medical experts to fully document your injuries and the long-term costs of recovery. With this evidence in hand, your attorney builds a strong claim on your behalf, negotiates for fair compensation, and prepares your case for trial if necessary. 

Having a local advocate with experience in Richmond courts and navigating Kentucky insurance law gives you a clear advantage throughout the process.

Contact the Morrin Law Office Today

Working with an experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney ensures you have someone protecting your rights, guiding you through Kentucky’s no-fault system, and supporting you as you pursue compensation.

At Morrin Law Office, we started our firm in Richmond to stand up for Kentuckians who’ve been undervalued by insurance companies. We only take cases when we’re confident we can add value, so you can trust us to protect your rights while you focus on getting healthy and back to your life.

We’ll handle the insurance and legal complexities so you can focus on healing. If you or a family member has been injured as a passenger in a Kentucky car accident, contact us today at (859) 780-7573 for a free consultation.