New York Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney
How to File an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claim in New York
One of the most important types of auto insurance is the insurance you buy for yourself: uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage. If you are injured by a driver who is uninsured or does not have enough insurance to pay for your damages, you could turn to your uninsured motorist (UM) and/or supplemental uninsured motorist (SUM) coverage for the money you need to pay your bills.
At The Paris Law Group, PC, our New York uninsured accident attorney can help you understand your various legal options after an accident. We offer a free initial consultation to help you explore all of your options and we do not charge any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. Reach out to us today to learn more.
Injured by an uninsured or underinsured motorist? Contact us online or call (888) 365-4940 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Do I Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
In New York, insurance companies are required to provide you with coverage for uninsured motorists. In other words, UM coverage is mandatory in the state of New York. The minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage is $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more people injured in an accident.
You can also choose to purchase additional underinsured motorist coverage. In New York, this is known as supplemental uninsured motorist, or SUM, coverage. You can buy supplemental uninsured motorist coverage equal to the amount of liability insurance you carry, up to $250,000 per person and $500,000 for two or more people injured in an accident.
What Is SUM Insurance?
SUM insurance is a bargain considering the extra level of protection it provides you and your family. According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately 9% to 11% of drivers in New York are uninsured. A far greater percentage of drivers are underinsured, carrying only the minimum about of liability coverage, which is $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two or more people injured in an accident. If you have suffered a serious injury, $25,000 will not go far in paying for your losses. This is where your SUM insurance will kick in, covering you for the additional losses not covered by the other driver’s insurance.
Changes to New York’s SUM Insurance Law
In 2018, a new SUM insurance law signed by Governor Cuomo came into effect. The new law carried several key changes for New York drivers.
Below are some things you should know about the recent change to New York’s SUM insurance laws:
- Your SUM coverage must now match your bodily injury coverage, unless you choose to opt out. Before, you could choose to have a higher bodily injury limit and a lower SUM limit; now, your SUM coverage must match your bodily injury coverage unless you specifically state otherwise.
- Additional SUM coverage to match your bodily injury coverage will carry additional costs, meaning you will pay more in insurance under the new law for increased SUM coverage unless you choose to opt out.
- To opt out, you will need to tell your insurance provider that you do not wish to increase your SUM coverage. You should receive a waiver from your insurance provider; be sure to ask for and keep a copy of this waiver for your records.
- Your insurance provider is also now required to notify you of additional SUM coverage each year. This means they must inform you of SUM limits and various options you have to increase your coverage.
Changes in New York’s SUM insurance laws only apply to new insurance policies purchased after June 16, 2018.
Why You Need an Attorney
It’s important to seek legal advice when filing an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim. Notably, if you accept a settlement after an auto accident without your insurance company’s approval, your insurance company can immediately terminate your SUM coverage without payment. If you were involved in a car crash, reach out to our New York UM/SUM attorney before speaking to the insurance company or accepting any settlement offer.
Our founding partner, Jason Paris, can help you maximize your recovery and avoid mistakes that can result in your insurance company denying your claim. We can also help you file an uninsured or SUM claim if you are an injured pedestrian or bicyclist.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
At The Paris Law Group, PC, we realize just how stressful and overwhelming it is to be involved in any type of motor vehicle accident. When the other driver flees the scene or doesn’t have adequate insurance to cover your losses, you are likely to face additional worries about how you are going to be able to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
We encourage you to reach out to our legal team as soon as possible to discuss your situation with a compassionate, experienced, and highly knowledgeable attorney. At The Paris Law Group, PC, our goal is to help make you whole again.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at (888) 365-4940. Se habla español.
Our Clients Always Come First
Hear From Our Past Clients-
“I am extremely happy I made the choice to choose you, since I saw the dedication and effort you put in the case. I know it was a long and tedious process, but you managed it very well to win. Thank you one more time for everything Mr. Jason.”
- Alfredo O. -
“Jason guided me through the process with effortless expertise. His preparation was precise and methodical, and his execution in the courtroom was impressive.”
- Jessica E. -
“I had never felt more lonely or defeated than I did after my injury. Getting injured because of someone else's negligence can feel outrageous. No one wants to get hurt, but if you do trust me that you want Jason Paris and his staff on your side.”
- Jill V.
Small Firm. Big Numbers.
Millions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients and Counting-
Slip and Fall $14.4 MILLION
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Slip & Fall $11 Million
A well-known cellist was awarded almost $11 million after a slip and fall in a gourmet food market that resulted in injuries that now hamper her ability to play the instrument.
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Pedestrian Knockdown $2.8 Million
The client was a pedestrian crossing the street when she was hit by a yellow school bus making a left-hand turn. As a result of the impact, she was forced to fall to the ground and sustained an injury to her shoulder and lower back, both of which resulted in surgeries.
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Slip and Fall $2.7 MILLION
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Struck by a Bag of Cement $2.6 MILLION
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Construction Accident $2.5 Million
We were able to win a jury verdict of $2,500,000 after a pretrial offer of $150,000 for our client who sustained injuries from a construction accident.
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Bus Accident $2.1 Million
A mediated settlement was reached on the eve of trial on behalf of the client who was a driver of a motor vehicle which was struck in the rear by a bus.
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Bus Accident $2.1 MILLION
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Pedestrian Accident $2 Million
The client, a young boy, was crossing the street near his home on Staten Island when he slipped on ice in the roadway and was hit by a car.
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Car Accident $1.7 Million
The client was an ambulance driver responding to an emergency call. While in the process of making a left-hand turn with the ambulance lights and sirens in operation, he was struck by a vehicle going straight.
