There are mandatory minimum insurance coverage laws to ensure compensation for those who suffered economic losses due to personal injuries caused by a vehicle accident. Learn what happens if a driver is involved in an accident caused by someone who doesn’t have the minimum auto insurance requirements and how the car accident no insurance lawyers at the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III can help.
What Happens if You’re Involved in a Car Accident Without Insurance in New York
If you have been involved in an uninsured car accident because the person who hit you has no insurance, you should know that you still have options. The New York government and legal systems offer remedies for situations like this.
New York’s Insurance Requirements and the State’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
Most states operate under an at-fault insurance system, but in New York, insurance compliance falls under a no-fault system. This system allows drivers to file claims with their own insurance company to receive compensation that is not dependent on who is at fault. The types of compensation a driver’s own insurance company would be responsible for would be:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost earnings
- Death benefits
- Hiring household help
- Transportation expenses to and from medical facilities
With this type of insurance, up to $50,000 is available to cover basic economic losses like those listed. A $2000 death benefit is offered in addition to the $50,000.
Legal and Financial Consequences for Uninsured Drivers
Some people use the excuse of not having minimum insurance coverage because they can’t afford it. However, not obtaining insurance can result in significantly more financial strain and legal problems. Learn more in the next section about the specifics of those consequences.
Potential Penalties, Including Fines, License Suspension, and Legal Liability
With the help of the Insurance Information and Enforcement System (IIES), New York’s DMV and law enforcement personnel work diligently to identify, penalize, and remove uninsured vehicles from the roadways. There are several tools at their disposal to minimize the number of uninsured vehicles, and they include:
- Imposing fines
- Preventing uninsured cars from being registered
- Suspending driver’s licenses
If a driver has been in an accident without insurance, they may not only be responsible for their own personal injury and property damage costs but also the costs incurred by the others involved in the accident. Those civil liability costs can be significant, depending on the severity of the injuries or damages sustained by all parties.
Advice on Steps to Take After an Accident Without Insurance
If you find yourself in the aftermath of an uninsured car accident, there are steps that you can take to ensure any damages you incur as a result can be compensated fully and expediently. After assessing yourself and any passengers for injuries, collect information and start the documentation process by:
- Calling law enforcement to generate a police report.
- Exchanging names and contact info with parties involved in the accident
- Taking photos and writing down details
- Collecting witness names and contact information.
- Seeing a medical professional
Once you’ve gathered information and documentation supporting your claims, meet with an uninsured car accident lawyer. They will know how to use what you’ve collected to file a claim with the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC), negotiate with insurance companies, or navigate the court system as needed.
If You Were in a Car Accident, Contact Us at the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III
The attorneys at the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III understand that it can cause more worry and anxiety to realize that the person who caused your car accident injuries didn’t have insurance. Relieve those concerns by relying on us to skillfully navigate the legal system to get you the compensation you need to focus on healing. Contact us at the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III for a free consultation.
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