NYC UNINSURED MOTORISTS ATTORNEY
INTRODUCTION TO UNINSURED MOTORISTS PROTECTION
In New York State if you are involved in a automobile accident you are entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) regardless of who may be at fault due to the state’s No-Fault law. In instances when another individual’s negligence was the cause of the accident you can make a bodily injury claim through the at-fault vehicle’s insurance to be compensated for your liability claim. There are times, however, when one may be struck by an individual with insufficient coverage. Read on to see the options available to you if ever faced with this scenario.
UNINSURED COVERAGE (UM)
All drivers in New York State are required to purchase liability insurance that meet the following standards:
- Bodily Injury minimum: Minimum $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage minimum: Minimum $10,000 (does not apply to your own vehicle)
- Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury minimum: Minimum $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident (cannot exceed your BI liability limits)
- Basic Personal Injury Protection minimum: Minimum $50,000
Despite these requirements there are about 5.3% of drivers in New York who operate their vehicles without insurance. Though this places NY as 3rd lowest state (behind Massachusetts and Maine) with uninsured motorists, this still means that there are thousands of drivers out there with inadequate coverage.
The UM coverage helps you if you do not have access to an adverse vehicle’s liability insurance due to an accident caused by:
- Unidentified hit and run driver
- Uninsured out-of-state motor vehicle
- Uninsured NY motor vehicle
- Stolen motor vehicle
- Motor vehicle operated without the consent of the owner
- Unregistered motor vehicle
The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) while also providing protection in accidents involving uninsured motorists, only steps in as the last resort.
UNDERINSURED COVERAGE (UIM)
Unlike uninsured motorist BI coverage, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) is not required by New York State. It provides coverage if the at-fault driver in an accident has insufficient liability coverage to fully compensate you.
In both UM and UIM cases a claim has to be filed against your own insurance to process bodily injury claims. UIM claims come into effect after the at-fault driver’s liability has been exhausted. If you find yourself seriously injured by an underinsured motorist, you may have a UIM claim if the injuries you sustain surpass the limits of the negligent driver’s policy.
SEEK A NYC UNINSURED MOTORISTS ATTORNEY WITH EXPERIENCE
Although most insurance companies will acknowledge and honor the UM/UIM provisions of your policy, there are some who may try to reject your UM/UIM claim or offer you very little compensation. It is thus very important to reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Wittenstein & Wittenstein we can help investigate your claim and ensure that you receive fair recovery. We have over 60 years of experience with settling cases involving uninsured and underinsured motorists in New York. Call NYC Uninsured Motorist Attorney today to schedule a free consultation.
NYC UNINSURED MOTORISTS ATTORNEY
Types of Damages Recoverable in Personal Injury Law
Generally, a personal injury case begins with establishing negligence, which is the recognition of a legal duty and breach of that legal duty. This means that there must be something expected, such as a property owner’s duty to keep the premises safe, and the “breach” might be oil left spilled on the floor for an unreasonable amount of time. It also needs to be proven that the “breach of duty” caused the injury claimed. This is known as [...]
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me?
You should contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible after you have an accident. You may have more rights than you think! Sometimes people are afraid to go to the hospital in the ambulance provided by the police because they are concerned about payment of the hospital bill. This is not something to worry about because the hospital bill is always paid by the car insurance scheme, even if all the cars are uninsured! An experienced [...]
How to Avoid Being Dropped by Insurance Companies
Can My Insurance Company Drop Me? Here at Wittenstein & Wittenstein, rarely does a day go by without somebody asking us if their insurance company can drop them. People pay for insurance, but are afraid to use it for fear of being dropped. That’s why we thought it would be helpful to address this, and the related issue of when an insurance company can raise your rates. When Can My Insurance Company Drop Me? An insurance company can [...]
5 Things You Need to Know About DUI in NYC
No one who is going out for a night out on the town expects to end up arrested and in the back of a police car. Unfortunately, that can happen when poor choices are made in regard to drinking and driving. Do you know what to expect with a DUI arrest? Here are five things you need to know about a DUI in New York City. Impaired to "Any Extent" The difference between DWI and DWAI can literally [...]
Black History Month Spotlight: Michelle Obama
Black History Month- Recognizing Notable Lawyer: Michelle Obama We’ve seen Michelle Obama poised by Barack Obama’s side during his presidency countless times. Fashionable and statuesque, she handled her position as first lady with a deftness and grace that belied the initial criticism she faced. For eight years, she proudly served as the premiere African-American first lady. There is so much more to know about Michelle Obama - here are some things you might not be aware of: 1. [...]
HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
Nobody is truly prepared for a car accident. Sometimes it’s just a nuisance fender-bender with property damage, but other times it can be a life-altering event. Usually, it’s someplace in-between. Since accidents are so common in New York City, it’s a good idea to know what to do in case you have a car accident. Wittenstein & Wittenstein is a law firm with accident attorneys in Queens that will answer all your questions after accident. They also share [...]