What to Know About Car Accidents in New York

When you are injured in a car accident, medical bills can quickly add up. You may be unable to work or unable to continue your normal activities due to your injuries. Obtaining compensation can prove critical to ensuring you get the care and treatment you need to recover. Because New York has a no-fault insurance system, it is important to know your rights so you can determine who covers your injuries after a car accident.

At Ajlouny Injury Law, we represent individuals who have been injured in car accidents throughout New York City. Our lawyers have helped thousands of injury victims secure the compensation they need and deserve after a wreck. If you were injured in a New York car accident, contact our office for a free consultation. Get the FREE legal advice you need today.

At-Fault Versus No-Fault Accidents

There are 12 states throughout the U.S. that follow a no-fault insurance system. The rest follow a fault-based or tort system. In a fault-based insurance system, an injured party may sue an at-fault driver for damages. In a no-fault insurance state, a person who is injured in a car accident can file a claim for damages against their own insurance policy.

No-fault insurance states generally require motorists to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. PIP insurance pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and other reasonable accident-related losses if you are injured in a car accident, irrespective of fault. In New York, injured parties have up to $50,000 of no-fault benefits for basic economic losses.

In some cases, if your basic economic losses exceed $50,000, you may be able to file for additional PIP coverage. If you meet the threshold for serious injury, you can pursue a lawsuit against an at-fault driver and file a claim for additional damages, such as your pain and suffering.

Types of Insurance Coverage for Car Accidents

There are several types of insurance coverage for car accidents. In New York, to satisfy the financial responsibility requirements, you must purchase no-fault (Personal Injury Protection), liability, and uninsured motorists.

Types of insurance coverage for car accidents in New York:

No-fault insurance - Since New York is a no-fault insurance state, motorists are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP insurance covers your medical bills, lost earnings, and other reasonable losses after an accident. It is designed to help injured parties recover their basic economic losses quickly after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Basic “no-fault” coverage is $50,000, but you can purchase additional coverage.

Liability insurance - In addition to no-fault insurance, you must also carry liability insurance. The mandatory minimum liability insurance in New York is $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 for property damage per accident. If a death results, you must have $50,000 for an injury resulting in death per person and $100,000 for an injury resulting in death per accident.

Uninsured motorists insurance - The third type of insurance is uninsured motorists coverage. This coverage protects you in the event you are hit by an uninsured motorist or involved in a hit-and-run.

Failure to carry the mandatory minimum amount of insurance can result in the suspension of your driving privileges and your vehicle registration. Having adequate coverage not only protects other drivers but also protects you if you are involved in an accident.

What to Do If You Are Injured by an Uninsured Driver

If you are injured by an uninsured driver, it is important to speak to an attorney about your rights. You likely can obtain coverage for your accident-related losses through your uninsurance motorist coverage. However, it can be challenging to secure compensation for all of your damages without the help of a qualified attorney.

What If You Are Partially Responsible for Your Injuries?

Liability is rarely cut and dry in a car accident. In many cases, one or more parties may be responsible for the accident. New York law allows you to seek compensation even if you were partially at-fault for the accident.

If your basic economic losses do not exceed $50,000 or you were not seriously injured in an accident, you can file a claim for no-fault benefits regardless of fault. If your basic economic losses exceed $50,000 or you were seriously injured in the accident, you may be able to pursue a claim for damages against an at-fault party, even if you were partially responsible for the accident.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?

When you are injured in a car accident, you need answers. You may be struggling to recover from physical and emotional trauma that makes it challenging to move forward with your life. A personal injury attorney can help you maximize your damages to ensure you receive compensation for all of your losses. They will fight to ensure the insurance company does not have you settle for less than your case is worth.

At Ajlouny Injury Law, we have proven results, having won millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We are seasoned litigators who are unafraid to take cases to trial to get our clients the results they deserve. Our legal team has helped over 10,000 New Yorkers who have suffered injuries in car wrecks and other accidents. We will not give up on you or your case.

Ajlouny Personal Injury Law

Were you injured in a car accident in New York? Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation. We offer FREE legal advice for all injury victims. We know how difficult the days and months can be after a car accident, which is why we will come to you. You do not have to go through this alone.

When you retain Ajlouny Injury Law, you pay no fees unless we win. Find out just how much your case is worth today. All case evaluations are confidential and provided without obligation to retain our services. Get the legal help you need now.