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
Is Your Right to Vote Disappearing?
Is Your Right to Vote Disappearing? wittenstein.com has been a little over 50 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Right Act of 1965 into law. Passed during the Civil Rights era, it sought to remove barriers meant to keep African Americans from voting on election day. These barriers included literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation by law enforcement officials. By the end of 1965 a quarter million more African Americans were registered to vote. Since [...]
What is New York Doing About Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?
What Is New York Doing About Sexual Harassment in the Workplace? wittenstein.com The effect of allegations of sexual harassment being brought to the center stage has rippled beyond courtrooms, into peoples’ homes, workplace, and now legislation. Starting on October 9th, all employers in New York state will be required to have a Sexual Harassment prevention policy that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements set by the law. A written or electronic copy of the policy and annual training [...]
Limousines- Luxury Travel or Death Traps?
LIMOUSINES- LUXURY TRAVEL OR DEATH TRAPS? Many kids grow up dreaming that one day they would be rich and famous, traveling to red carpets in a limousine. News of a limousine crash, leaving 20 people dead in its wake, is leaving us wondering how something so horrific could happen in a luxury vehicle. On October 7th, a family hired a limousine to safely take them drinking at an Upstate New York Brewery. What seemed like a smart and [...]
Things To Do If You Have a Car Accident
Some people are lucky enough to have never had a car accident. Car accidents are so common that it’s a good idea to know what to do should an accident occur. It’s better to be prepared beforehand, so that you can protect both your health and your legal rights properly. A Bronx Car Accident Attorney, Brooklyn Car Accident Attorney or a large firm handling cases throughout New York City can help you best if you follow the [...]
Common Personal Injury Cases
There are thousands of personal injury claims filed each year by injured people. The purpose of these claims is to acquire compensation for the pain and suffering that’s a result of somebody else’s carelessness. Many studies have shown that a woman accident attorney NYC is better able to relate to clients and also makes the strongest cases. Unfortunately, there are not that many woman personal injury attorneys, so finding one can be a challenge, but it’s well worth [...]
The Difference Between Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault
The Difference Between Sexual Harassment & Sexual Assault It seems as if every time we turn on the news, there’s another accusation about sexual harassment or assault that comes up. We are living in a time where behavior that was once minimized and brushed aside is now coming to public attention. People now feel emboldened to speak up and are encouraged by movements such as ME TOO to take a stand. As more offenses come to the public [...]