What to do when involved in an accident with an underinsured motorist in New York?
New York drivers are required to purchase certain types and limits of auto insurance coverage to protect them in the event they engage in a motor vehicle accident. Currently, New York law requires that motorists carry the following coverages1:
Liability Coverage
- $10,000 for property damage for one accident.
- $25,000 for bodily injuries and $50,000 for death for one person.
- $50,000 for bodily injuries and $100,000 for death for two or more people.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
- A minimum of $50,000 in PIP.
Uninsured Motorists Coverage
- $25,000 for bodily injuries and $50,000 for death for one person.
While these limits can certainly help pay for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and more, they may not be enough in the event of a serious collision. If a driver is liable for causing a car accident and they don’t have enough insurance available to pay for the other party’s accident-related expenses, they are considered underinsured.
What to do after an accident with an underinsured motorist in Watertown, NY?
New York State is considered a no-fault state which means accident victims must first file a PIP claim with their own insurance carrier before turning to the at-fault party’s insurer. PIP will generally pay a driver and/or the passengers in their vehicle, regardless of fault, up to $50,000 for medical expenses, lost wages, and other covered expenses.2
Now, if an accident victim’s covered expenses exceed their PIP limits, they may then need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. In the event the liable party’s insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover the remaining expenses an individual is seeking compensation for, then they may review their policy to see if they purchased underinsured motorist coverage, which is an optional type of coverage that can be added onto a policy.
When insurance coverage is exhausted, a driver may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against the underinsured motorist responsible for the accident. New York State does require that certain criteria be met prior to filing suit, and therefore, car crash victims should consult an accident lawyer in Watertown to find out if the law permits them to sue.
New York State’s insurance laws are confusing and that’s why there are accident lawyers to assist with the claims process
New York State has very specific laws that dictate how claims should be filed following the occurrence of a motor vehicle accident. Because these laws are a bit complex, especially to someone who suffered severe injuries in a wreck, individuals are encouraged to seek legal help from a reputable Watertown, NY accident lawyer.
After carefully reviewing an accident victim’s insurance policy, a lawyer can determine what coverages they have available and who their claim needs to be filed with. Remember, a Watertown, NY accident lawyer’s ultimate goal is to help a victim recover the maximum amount of compensation they are due.
If an individual has insurance-related questions they’d like to discuss with an attorney in Watertown or is ready to get help with the claims process, they are encouraged to contact Stanley Law.
Stanley Law has multiple offices in Central New York that are located at:
Syracuse Office
215 Burnet Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13203
Phone: 1-800-608-3333
Website: www.stanleylawoffices.com
Binghamton Office
84 Court St, Ste 414
Binghamton, NY 13901
Watertown Office
200 Washington St, Ste 407A
Watertown, NY 13601
Rochester Office
510 Clinton Square Ste 521
Rochester, NY 14604
Montrose Office
22 Public Ave
Montrose, PA 18801
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