In New York State, in order for residents to register their vehicles, they
must have liability insurance coverage. If a driver fails to maintain
coverage, their driver’s license and registration can be suspended
by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Under
New York law, drivers are required to purchase auto liability insurance coverage. As
of this writing, the minimum liability limits are:
- $10,000 for property damage,
- $25,000 for one person’s bodily injuries,
- $50,000 for one person killed in an accident,
- $50,000 for bodily injuries involving two or more people in an accident, and
- $100,000 for the death of two or more individuals in a single accident.
Like most states, New York does not require people to purchase uninsured/underinsured
motorist coverage, but we highly recommend this coverage because it protects
you in case you’re in an
accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Uninsured/underinsured motorist
coverage helps you pay your medical bills and property damage if the at-fault
driver does not have insurance or if their insurance coverage falls short.
What if a
pedestrian is struck by a driver who does not have automobile insurance?
If you were ever struck by an uninsured vehicle while you were a pedestrian,
it wouldn’t seem fair for you to pay your insurance deductibles,
co-pays, and deal with the time off work, now would it? If you didn’t
have medical insurance, you’d be in big trouble. Or, imagine if
a loved one was struck and killed by an uninsured drunk driver.
UIM Coverage Protects Pedestrians
If you were to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your
policy would cover you if you were struck by an uninsured vehicle, even
if you were crossing the street, walking in a parking lot, or taking an
early-morning run. You don’t have to be in your car.
“Uninsured Motorist Coverage protects you, your family members who
live with you, and occupants of your car, in the event they are injured
as the result of negligent actions by an uninsured vehicle or hit-and-run
motorist, in accidents occurring in New York State,” according to the
New York State Department of Financial Services.
According to
EINSURANCE, “Pedestrian coverage is a compelling reason to get this relatively
cheap car insurance coverage [uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage]
even if you aren’t required by law to carry it.” So, if you
don’t currently have uninsured motorist coverage, we hope this post
will compel you to contact your insurance agent and add it to your existing policy.
Injured in a
pedestrian accident?
Contact Laurence A. Silverman, Esq. to meet with a Suffolk County car accident attorney.