Motor vehicle accidents have many causes: inattentive drivers, intoxicated drivers, dangerous weather conditions and even poor road maintenance. No matter what the cause, the impact can be devastating. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an attorney.
Ask for a Personal Injury Lawyer Who Knows the Area
When you select a personal injury attorney, experience is important. Another important factor many people might overlook is the need to have a lawyer who knows the community where the car, truck or motorcycle accident occurred.
The O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First law firm in Albany, together with a firm in Syracuse, features lawyers and investigators who are familiar with all areas of Upstate New York. That means the attorneys have regular contact with the doctors, hospitals, law enforcement agencies and courts who serve personal injury victims.
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Have you been injured in a car accident in Upstate New York? Call 1-866-935-1527 for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney at O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First, P.C.
A motorcycle accident can cause serious injuries and require a substantial insurance settlement. Contact a lawyer for a free consultation at O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First, P.C.
No-Fault Insurance
When a driver has been in an accident, no-fault auto insurance allows the driver to collect from his or her insurance company no matter who was at fault. Not every state has a no-fault insurance structure, but those that do have very specific laws governing when, how much and for how long the injured party may collect. Consult with an attorney from O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First, P.C. in Albany, New York, to discuss how your state views fault and to determine how the laws may affect your right to recover damages for injuries.
How No-Fault Insurance Works
No-fault insurance is a system in which auto insurance pays benefits the insured driver in case of an accident. The insurance compensates the insured driver for monetary losses, no matter who was at fault. This is contrary to systems in which the at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay the bulk of the compensation after an investigation and determination of fault by the insurance companies or the courts.
The system is designed to streamline the process of payments to injured people and to lower the burden on the courts. Under the no-fault insurance system, it can be more difficult to sue an at-fault driver for damages; the insured typically must have been quite seriously injured in order to take such legal action. On the other hand, monetary recovery for the insured is more certain under no-fault insurance because the compensation is immediately available through the insurance policy of the injured party. No-fault insurance policies often have a cap on the compensation they will pay.
The no-fault insurance system prevents injured parties from receiving a windfall due to the accident, but it also ensures compensation no matter who caused the accident. In a no-fault state, the other driver will also receive compensation from his or her insurance company if that driver sustained certain economic losses. The specifics of no-fault insurance laws vary widely by state.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
If you have a no-fault insurance policy, it is probably called a personal injury protection (PIP) package. PIP insurance pays for the medical expenses of the insured driver and the passengers who were injured in an auto accident. PIP insurance typically covers things like medical bills, wage loss and funeral expenses, but not pain and suffering or vehicle damage. This varies by state and particular insurance policy. The PIP packages have limits on what they will pay.
Speak with an Attorney
How you handle the situation after a motor vehicle accident can make a significant difference in your monetary recovery. Dealing with insurance companies can be especially tricky. In addition, the no-fault and fault insurance systems vary widely by state. Speaking with an attorney from O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First, P.C. in Albany, New York, will help to clear up the confusion these systems can cause.
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