As a driver in New York City, you probably have an expectation that everyone else is responsible and has automobile insurance for their vehicles, just like you do. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, it has been estimated that one in eight motorists in the U.S. don’t have auto insurance, which means that there are approximately 28 million uninsured drivers out on the road today.
So, what happens if you are injured in an accident with someone who does not have insurance? Here are some tips for how to deal with the situation and how a New York car accident lawyer can help.
Auto Insurance Requirements for Coverage
In all U.S. states, there are minimum coverages requirements for auto insurance that you must register a vehicle and get a license plate. The first requirement is liability insurance, which protects your car and other people and their property involved in an accident. There is also personal injury protection (no-fault) coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and additional accident-related costs. Uninsured motorist coverage is the third requirement and protects you and your passengers if you get into an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In New York, uninsured motorist coverage applies to bodily injuries caused by accidents but not damage to your car or other property. The amount of this type of insurance required is the same as the minimum bodily injury limits required by your liability insurance.
You should use your uninsured motorist coverage if a hit-and-run motorist injures you or another person in your vehicle. You can also use this coverage if you are a pedestrian injured by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. If you or a family member are injured while in an uninsured vehicle, you can also file an uninsured motorist coverage claim with your own automobile insurer.
Call Us When You Need a New York City Car Accident Lawyer
Uninsured motorist accident cases are notoriously challenging, which is why you need an experienced New York car accident lawyer on your side. At the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum, we provide aggressive representation for auto accident victims and know what it takes to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries if an uninsured driver is to blame.
We will fight to protect your rights and recover the largest settlement possible while keeping you informed about the legal steps and progress from your initial consultation until the resolution of your case. We can also pursue the option of filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver who did not have auto insurance if your own policy’s uninsured motorist coverage is not enough to cover your damages.
With our help, you can bring an uninsured driver to justice and get help paying for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. For a free consultation, contact us today at 718-237-5586.
