Insurance Options for a Passenger in a Car Accident

New York is one of 12 no-fault states, meaning that all drivers must carry a personal insurance protection (PIP) policy to cover injuries sustained in an accident, regardless of who is at fault in a crash. As a passenger in a car accident, you will also file your claim using the driver’s PIP coverage.

What does no-fault insurance cover?

New York’s no-fault insurance laws require drivers to carry a minimum of $50,000 coverage per accident to pay for injuries to both the driver and any passengers in their vehicle. Costs covered by PIP policies include:

• Ambulance transportation
• Hospital and doctor bills
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy and other rehabilitation services
• Lost wages

It is important to note, however, that the driver’s PIP coverage only pays according to the limits of the policy. Serious injuries can quickly eclipse these limits, but you may have other options.

Will my health insurance policy cover me?

If the driver’s insurer denies your claim or you have reached the limits of the policy, you may consider asking your health insurance company to cover your medical bills. In most cases, private health insurers do not provide car accident injury coverage, but some may assume the cost of treatment and rehabilitation if you can prove that the insurer denied your auto insurance claim. The health insurance provider can then attempt to recover their costs from other available sources, including the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

What if the driver does not have insurance?

If the driver you were riding with did not have insurance, you may have the option to file a claim under your own auto insurance if you carry an uninsured motorist policy. If you do not own a car or have coverage, but a family member in your household has uninsured motorist coverage, you can also file a claim based on her policy

If this coverage is not available to you and the driver of the vehicle you rode in lacked PIP coverage, you may be able to receive compensation through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC) under its uninsured motorist protection program. A car accident attorney on Long Island can walk you through this process.

Do I have any other options?

If your injuries are serious enough and you have exhausted your other options, you may be eligible to file a claim against the other driver involved in the accident if he was at-fault. Be sure to discuss your case with a Long Island car accident lawyer to see if you are eligible to file a claim against the other driver.

Can Goldstein & Bashner help in my case?

Goldstein & Bashner helps Long Island car accident victims get the compensation they need, whether they were the driver or passenger. If you suffered injuries in a New York State car crash, we can help you get money to cover medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses and more.