Bohemia Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Attorneys

Car crashes involving uninsured or underinsured drivers can often be more complex than traditional car crash claims. When you have suffered serious injuries in a collision caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may have the right to financial compensation.

To discuss what’s next for your case, reach out to an uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyer serving Bohemia at Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. today.

Table of Contents

• What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
• New York Car Insurance Requirements
• How Do Insurance Claims Work in Accidents With Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers?
• What To Expect From Your Insurance Settlement?
• Get Help From a Bohemia Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Lawyer

What Is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/SUM) coverage is a type of auto insurance coverage that is designed to protect you in the event of a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Here, when you are involved in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver, if you carry UM/SUM coverage, you can file a claim with your own auto insurance company to cover certain types and amounts of damages.

For this reason, as you are preparing to purchase your own auto insurance policy, or if you are reviewing your current policy, you will want to be sure to carry enough coverage to protect yourself in the event of a crash.

If your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage limits are less than any damages you sustain in an accident, the insurance company will not be required to pay out beyond those limits. Take this into consideration as you are reviewing your personal auto insurance policies.

New York Car Insurance Requirements

New York law requires minimum types and amounts of auto insurance coverage mandated by New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law. These car insurance requirements include:

• $25,000 per person in bodily injury
• $50,000 per person in bodily injury resulting in death
• $50,000 per accident in bodily injury
• $100,000 per accident in bodily injury resulting in death
• $10,000 per accident in property damage
• $25,000 per person and bodily injury for uninsured and underinsured motorist
• $50,000 per accident in bodily injury for uninsured and underinsured motorists
• $50,000 in personal injury protection coverage (PIP)

It is important to note that the mandatory bodily injury liability coverage only applies to accidents that occur within the state of New York. Bodily injury liability coverage only covers physical injuries and medical expenses. Your property damage liability coverage will cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other property damages.

For this reason, purchasing the bare minimum amounts of auto insurance coverage could put you at risk for further financial strain if you are injured in an accident. Even if someone else is responsible for causing your injuries, the amount of coverage you carry directly correlates to what the insurance company will be required to compensate you for in your insurance settlement.

How Do Insurance Claims Work in Accidents With Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers?

When you are involved in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may be wondering how you will recover the compensation you are entitled to. Fortunately, New York requires you to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy.

When you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you can file a claim with your insurance company to recover certain types and amounts of losses based on the specific details of your policy. Then, the insurance company will likely attempt to recover the compensation they paid out and your injury settlement through legal action against the uninsured or underinsured driver.

Unfortunately, if you thought that dealing with your own insurance company was going to make the insurance claims process easier, you may be surprised to learn the truth.

What To Expect From Your Insurance Settlement?

Insurance companies are not always eager to pay out as much as you deserve. When you file a claim with the insurance company, they sometimes reduce or deny claimants the benefits and compensation that are rightfully theirs.

Even though you were injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the insurance company is going to lose money by settling your claim. Your attorney will handle the negotiations process for you so you do not have to worry about it.

It is also important to remember that the insurance company is only required to pay out up to the maximum limits of the policy. If you only purchased $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, but your medical bills amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars, anything beyond $50,000 the insurance company will not be required to cover.

If you have questions or concerns surrounding how your insurance settlement could be affected after being involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact your attorney to discuss your concerns further.

How To Get the Most for Your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Injury Claim?

Since the insurance company is only obligated to cover certain types and amounts of losses, anything the insurance company doesn’t cover you will need to recover through a civil car accident claim against the uninsured or underinsured motorist, or other liable parties.

In pursuing a civil lawsuit, you can recover compensation for any losses the insurance company didn’t cover, such as:

• Loss of companionship and love
• Loss of society and support
• Loss of advice and guidance
• Diminished earning capacity
• Lost quality of life
• Physical pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Medical equipment fees
• Costs of future medical care
• Loss of household services

Get Help From a Bohemia Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Lawyer

Being involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist does not mean you cannot recover the compensation that is rightfully yours.

With help from an uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyer serving Bohemia at Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P., you can rest easier knowing our team is working tirelessly to hold the liable party accountable. Schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation when you give our office a call at (631) 451-7900.

Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP
1176 Portion Road
Holtsville, NY 11742