If you are involved in a car accident in Olean, NY, you are legally allowed to sue those responsible as you seek compensation for the damages and losses. At Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers, an uninsured motorist accident lawyer will help you fight for your rights and interests, ensuring that responsible party and their insurance providers do not dupe you into comprising your case and losing out on your settlement.
Car accidents are not uncommon in the many roads, streets, and highways crisscrossing the State of New York. Some of the accidents are minor, others major, and many of them are avoidable. They often are occasioned by the driver’s reckless, negligent, or indifferent actions (behavior). Other times, they are linked to other issues like fault vehicle parts that were not noticed during the manufacturing process.
It would be best if you took the proper measures that secure your chance of receiving the maximum compensation, whether the driver that caused the accident was insured or not. Things tend to be a bit complicated when the party at fault is an uninsured driver. You, as the victim, will often find yourself on the hook for damages to your car when hit by an uninsured motorist. Things will look bleak if you do not have adequate uninsured motorist coverage. The cost will most likely come from your pocket. However, you can mitigate such an outcome by hiring an experienced, reputable, and aggressive Olean car accident lawyer.
New York Insurance Requirements For Drivers
New York State laws stipulate that all drivers must have the minimum liability insurance coverage. It is one of the few states in the U.S. that have “no-fault” insurance rules, required motorists to file auto accident compensation through their insurance policies.
The rule is known as Regulation 68 as per the DFS (Department of Financial Services) in New York. Based on the rule, all parties involved in a car accident can recover financially because a compensation minimum must be available. The stipulated minimums are:
- $10,000 to cover property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 to 50,000 to cover bodily injury to the victims
The litigation on behalf of the victims of uninsured motorist accidents in Olean, NY, focuses on recovery compensation. In situations where you are dealing with an uninsured driver, the New York State DMV will notify you of the motorist’s lack of insurance and legal action against the driver. The uninsured driver may face the following penalties:
- Fines of up to $1,500
- Suspend or revoke the driver’s license
- Impound the uninsured car
- Possible jail time
What Should You Do If An Uninsured Driver hits you?
It would be best to try not to panic after the accident. Remember that your decisions during that moment can be used to discredit your claims, robbing you of the chance to be compensated for your injuries and losses. Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers recommend that you take the following measures after being hit by an uninsured motorist:
Stay At The Scene
Leaving the scene when the property damage or injuries are substantial or fatalities is a crime. You should note the other party’s details, especially their car’s make and model and license plate.
Report The Accident
Inform the police about the incident, who will assess the accident and compile a report that can be used in your lawsuit and help validate your claim so that you are compensated for your injuries and losses.
Document Your Injury And The Accident
You should take pictures of any relevant detail about the accident, noting down the witnesses’ names and contacts, the extent of the injuries you sustained, the car involved, and the nature of the property damage.
Get Medical Help
It is wise to go and get checked by a doctor to diagnose and treat life-threatening injuries. Doing this is also essential in other areas. It would be best to have enough evidence that backs up your claim because the insurance companies come at you hard, trying to deny or discredit your claim. As such, the medical records will play a crucial part in your lawsuit.
Direct Questions To Your Lawyer
Insurance companies always have tricks up their sleeves that they can leverage when trying to dupe you into accepting a lower settlement. But you can counter their sly tactics by directing all their communications to your uninsured motorist accident lawyer in Olean, NY.
Who Pays For A Car Accident Claim If The Driver At Fault Is Uninsured?
Seeking compensation after being hit by an uninsured motorist requires you to file your claim with your insurance provider. With New York State having “no-fault Insurance rules, it means that you should start the process of recovering your benefits from your insurance company first, irrespective of who caused the auto collision.
Moreover, the fault of car accidents in New York is apportioned between the parties involved in the incident, a process that pushes your lawyer to determine fault so that you can be eligible to receive the maximum compensation from your insurance provider. But knowing how insurers hate making losses and how they play dirty, it is best to work closely with your uninsured motorist accident lawyer. Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers will represent you aggressively, ensuring that you get all the benefits from your insurer.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim In New York State?
While New York State Laws stipulate that you have three years from the time of the accident to file your claim, we highly advise you to take the necessary steps to ensure that you secure your chance of getting compensation. According to statistics, the circumstance surrounding a car accident will differ from one incident to the next and influence how fast the matter can be resolved.
Given the high probability of such issues become stumbling blocks, we recommend acting fast; the sooner you do so, the better. Find an uninsured motorist accident lawyer that will help protect your legal rights to pursue all possible claims and ensures the statute of limitation does not expire before you cover all the required procedures.
How Much Will An Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Cost?
If you decide to hire Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers, you will not have to stress about upfront fees. We offer free consultation and shall listen to your claims to determine if it is worth pursuing. We then shall conduct thorough investigations to determine liability and put together a solid winning formula. We offer our services on a contingency fee basis through which you get to pay us after helping you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Get In Touch With Our Olean Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer Today
Through the years of representing different car accident victims seeking compensation for their injuries and losses, we learned that the process could at times prove challenging, especially when dealing with uninsured motorists. However, we are always up to the challenge. Call our law offices in Olean, NY, today if you need help seeking compensation after an Olean uninsured motorist accident. Call us at (716) 261-2614 to speak to a seasoned car accident attorney at Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers. We shall schedule a free consultation to hear you out, review your case, and advise you on the best way forward.
