Have You Been Injured as a Passenger in a Vehicle?

When someone is injured as a passenger in a vehicle, it is a good idea for them to seek legal representation.

New York State requires that all motor vehicles be insured with a minimum of $25,000 liability insurance, and that system works great for injuries that are less serious. However, hospital stays ranging upwards of $100,000 are common for critically injured trauma victims. Even with insurance, many plans require a deductible to be met, and even then the coverage is usually for about 80% of the hospital stay — leaving the victim with a potentially life-altering debt through no fault of their own.

That is simply not fair.

John M. Mazzaro, an attorney at Levine And Wiss, PLLC, has extensive experience obtaining the maximum payout from the driver’s insurance company — and other sources. For example, if a driver only carries the bare minimum $25,000 liability insurance required by the state, it may be possible for the passenger to also collect from their own policy, depending on the situation.

Sometimes insurance companies dig in their heels and refuse to pay out an appropriate award. When this occurs, insurance companies expect that the people making claims will accept the decision and accept a law settlement, if there is any — and this is often the end of the road.

For victims who have effective, legal representation this is not the end. Litigation is often viewed as the “last resort” for parties who are trying to settle a dispute, but that description is somewhat misguided. For many disputes, litigation is the only option. Victims whose cases require litigation are best represented in the process by attorneys who not only deliver results, but have a reputation for zealously fighting for their clients’ interests. When dealing with accomplished litigators like John M. Mazzaro at Levine and Wiss, insurance companies and their lawyers are keenly aware that the client is ready, willing, and able to press his or her case as far as necessary to obtain justice. This, in turn, makes the insurance company more likely to settle before trial.