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If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s not uncommon to feel the financial stress build as you watch those medical bills roll in for your treatment. This stress only compounds if you find yourself unable to work due to your injuries. You may start to wonder who will pay all these medical bills when you can hardly make ends meet. Before you start considering bankruptcy, keep reading to see what our Garden City car accident attorneys say about your options after a car accident.
Your First Line of Defense – New York’s No-Fault Insurance
If you drive a car in New York, you are required to have insurance. This insurance includes no-fault personal injury protection (PIP), which can pay your medical expenses and up to 80% of $2000.00, of your lost wages, and other related expenses, up to at least $50,000 per person in the event of an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This insurance will cover you and anyone else in your car that was hurt. Your Saul Law Firm attorney can advise you whether you have additional PIP coverage on your policy.
After an accident, you should notify your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process. Your Saul Law Firm attorney can help you fill out the necessary application, however, the claim must be made within the first thirty (30) days following the accident.
If your medical bills exceed the $50,000 PIP limit, additional options may be available. For example, your private insurance might cover, you could pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance or explore benefits from the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) should there be no applicable auto policies.
Let’s look at each of those options.
When the Other Driver Was At Fault
If your personal injury damages exceed $50,000, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company (assuming you are not the driver at fault). However, to be successful with this claim, it is essential to prove that the other driver was negligent and their actions directly caused the accident and your injuries.
When you make a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you may also claim additional damages for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
Working with an experienced attorney can help ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to after an accident.
MVAIC – When You Have No Other Options
The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) is a vital resource for individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents in New York when no other insurance is available. MVAIC offers coverage to individuals injured in accidents involving uninsured drivers or hit-and-run cases, helping bridge gap when other resources fall short. To qualify, you must meet specific eligibility requirements, including:
- The accident must have occurred in New York and you are a New York resident (some exceptions apply)
- Neither you nor anyone else in your household has other auto insurance coverage.
- You were not the uninsured owner or spouse of the owner of the vehicle involved in the auto accident.
It’s their mission to provide prompt and courteous customer service and promptly resolve your medical bills and lost wage claims, so if you are struggling with medical bills and meet the eligibility requirements, it’s worth it to check out their benefits.
What To Do After An Auto Accident in New York
After an accident, it’s vital that you take the proper steps to protect your health and your rights. If you are injured, be sure to:
- Call 911 and file a Police Report
- Get medical care immediately
- Report the accident to your insurance provider
- Keep meticulous records of your medical visits, time off work, and costs
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you do not run out of time to file a lawsuit, if it comes to that.
Contact Our Experienced Garden City Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in New York, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Our experienced car accident lawyers are available to walk you through your options and help you get compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, potential lost wages and medical bills. Contact us today for a consultation.