Experienced New York car accident doctors explain what you need to know
Car accidents often result in serious injuries and fatalities in New York. Each year, thousands of people are injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents throughout New York State. In 2018, an estimated 167,821 people sustained injuries in motor vehicle accidents and 943 people were killed in crashes in New York State, according to statistics compiled by the state and federal government.
In most cases, accident-related expenses in New York are covered by each driver’s car insurance company, regardless of who was at fault. That’s because New York has a no-fault car accident insurance system.
What exactly does that mean? And what exactly is covered if you file a no-fault car accident insurance claim?
Below, you can learn more about how New York’s no-fault car accident claim process works. Working in partnership with injuredcalltoday.com, our board-certified, fellowship-trained, New York car accident doctors at Island Musculoskeletal Care (IMC Bone Doc) created this blog to help you better understand New York’s no-fault insurance system and exactly how it works.
What is no-fault car accident coverage?
Many states have what’s commonly called at-fault car accident coverage. That means the at-fault driver’s insurance company often pays for accident-related expenses for anyone else injured in the motor vehicle accident.
Like 11 other states, New York has a no-fault car accident insurance system. This means no matter who was at fault, your accident-related expenses will often be covered by your own insurance company.
As for injured pedestrians and cyclists in New York, if your accident was caused by a motor vehicle, your accident-related expenses will likely be covered by the driver’s insurance company, regardless of who’s at fault.
Are all car accidents in New York covered by no-fault accident claims?
The short answer is no. Your motor vehicle accident needs to meet certain specific criteria in order to be covered by a no-fault car accident claim, including:
- Your car accident needs to take place in New York.
- The drivers involved in the accident must have their vehicles registered in New York.
- No-fault accident claims only apply to car accidents involving:
- Cars
- Taxis
- Trucks
- Buses
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
- No-fault accident claims do not apply to accidents involving motorcycles or scooters.
New York’s no-fault insurance system can be confusing, especially if you have never been involved in a car accident before. What’s important to remember is you should remain focused on what matters most – making sure you receive the highest-quality medical care.
How much is covered by no-fault car accident coverage in New York?
While it is true that most accident-related expenses are covered by your own insurance company in New York, there are limits to what your insurance covers. This often depends on how much insurance coverage you or the other driver has at the time of the crash.
In New York, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of car insurance coverage, including:
- $10,000 per car accident for property damage
- $25,000 per person per car accident
- $50,000 per car accident for medical expenses
If your accident-related expenses exceed these amounts, you may need to file a car accident claim against the other driver’s insurance company.
What accident-related expenses are covered by New York no-fault claims?
The short answer is all your accident-related expenses can and should be covered by your no-fault accident claim. It’s also important to remember that your claim should cover short-term, as well as long-term, expenses associated with your car accident. These expenses often include:
- Emergency medical care
- Ambulance fees
- Diagnostic testing (x-rays, MRIs, etc.)
- Surgical procedures
- Overnight hospital stays
- Follow-up medical care
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
In addition to your medical expenses, no-fault car insurance coverage often covers other expenses often associated with car accidents. These may include:
- Replacement income during your recovery
- Long-term disability coverage if you cannot return to work
- Future lost earnings if you cannot return to work
This is just a small sampling of accident-related expenses often covered by no-fault car accident claims in New York. Each accident is different, and depending on the severity of your injuries and the length of your recovery, you may need additional financial compensation to cover your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
Don’t underestimate the complexity of your New York no-fault accident claim
Obtaining the financial compensation and benefits you rightfully deserve for your New York car accident can be complicated. Most likely, you will need to file a NF-2 form within 30 days of your accident in order to be eligible for no-fault car accident coverage.
As part of that process, you will likely need documentation outlining the injuries you sustained in your car accident. That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced and knowledgeable doctor examining and treating you after your motor vehicle accident. Otherwise, you might not receive the compensation you deserve, particularly if you don’t have precise medical records detailing your injury and the treatment you’re receiving after your crash.
Our board-certified, New York orthopedic surgeons at IMC Bone Doc thoroughly understand how New York’s no-fault car accident insurance system works. Learn more about how one of our experienced New York car accident doctors can help you. Contact us and schedule an appointment at one of our seven New York office locations. Many of our doctors have same-day appointments available.
