Being involved in an automobile accident on Long Island or New York can be devasting. In addition to serious injuries and mental trauma, these types of accidents are often accompanied by expensive medical bills. An accident can be further complicated if the other driver doesn’t have insurance. Fortunately, if you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, the experienced attorneys of Dell & Dean, PLLC, are here to help.
New York Auto Insurance Requirements
New York law requires drivers to purchase the following:
- No-fault insurance coverage in the amount of $50,000 per person
- $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability insurance for injury to one person and $50,000 for injury to two or more individuals in a single accident
- Death liability insurance in the amount of $50,000 for a single death and $100,000 for the death of two or more individuals in a single accident
- $10,000 in property damage coverage
- Uninsured driver insurance coverage in the same amounts as liability bodily injury insurance coverage
New York Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If an uninsured driver causes an automobile accident, then uninsured motorist insurance coverage should cover the other driver’s damages up to the policy limits. For uninsured motorist coverage to apply, the insurance company must first verify that the driver who caused the accident didn’t have liability insurance coverage at the time of the accident. In addition, the uninsured driver must have caused the accident and be liable for damages.
So, if you’ve been involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, assuming you have the minimum bodily injury insurance coverage, then the uninsured motorist coverage amount is $25,000. This means that the maximum insurance coverage amount for your uninsured motorist claim would be $75,000, which is $50,000 personal injury protection coverage and $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage.
Do I Need an Attorney to File an Uninsured Motorist Claim in New York?
An attorney is not required to file an uninsured motorist claim in New York. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s advisable to file an uninsured motorist claim alone. Although you are dealing directly with your insurance company when filing an uninsured motorist claim, this does not guarantee that you will receive the full value of your claim. In fact, auto insurance companies routinely dispute their customer’s claims and undervalue their claims to avoid paying out large amounts. Therefore, it is advisable to contact an experienced uninsured motorist accident attorney prior to filing your claim.
How an Attorney Can Help
New York’s car insurance laws are confusing, which makes obtaining full compensation for your losses following an accident with an uninsured motorist difficult. However, when you work with an experienced attorney after your accident, the process is greatly simplified, and your odds of obtaining full compensation for your losses increase. There are several ways that the experienced attorneys at Dell & Dean, PLLC, can assist you following your car accident. Specifically, when you come to us for help, we will:
- Investigate what caused your car accident to determine liability
- Review legal documentation and insurance policies
- Pursue all possible sources of compensation
- File your uninsured motorist claim and communicate directly with your insurance company
- Gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim
- Negotiate a settlement
- File a lawsuit and go to trial, if necessary
Contact Our Long Island Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
If you’ve been involved in an uninsured motorist accident in New York, Dell & Dean, PLLC, is here to help. At Dell & Dean, PLLC, our highly experienced New York uninsured motorist accident lawyers will provide you with legal assistance during your time of need, doing everything we can to obtain financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us to arrange a consultation with a talented New York uninsured motorist accident attorney.
Dell & Dean, PLLC, represents uninsured motorist accident victims throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island, as well as the boroughs of New York City and the surrounding areas.
