Deployed airbags after an accident

Passengers rights in a car accident

Passengers are just as likely to be seriously injured in a car accident as drivers, yet many people are unaware of the rights they have and how they should go about seeking compensation if they are injured while riding as a passenger. Under the law, passengers have the same ability to sue for damages as the driver. In fact, they have even greater rights than the driver as they can seek damages from whichever driver is determined to be at fault, including the driver of the vehicle they were riding in, or both drivers if they are both at fault….

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Man driving while looking at his phone.

Supplemental Spousal Liability Insurance: Is your spouse covered?

If you’ve never heard of Supplemental Spousal Liability Insurance, then you may be unaware of the risk you take every time you drive with your spouse. Many people assume that even if you are found at fault for an accident, your spouse is covered by your own car insurance just as any other passenger would be. That is not the case. In New York State, your spouse can sue you, but the insurance company does not have to defend you or pay the claim for your injuries. This means that if you are at fault for the accident, your spouse…

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Woman wearing a cast, getting into a car.

Preexisting injuries don’t automatically dismiss your accident claim

If you are involved in a car crash and are injured, you may believe that a preexisting injury or health condition means you are not entitled to receive compensation. Insurance companies will often claim that your pain and suffering was due to a preexisting condition in an attempt to avoid paying you fair compensation. It’s important to know that if your existing condition is worsened or aggravated by an accident, you can, and should, seek compensation. Never take the insurance company’s word for it, always talk to an experience personal injury attorney to find out the facts for yourself. Seeking…

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A driver stops for pedestrians crossing the road.

Pedestrian accidents, are you covered?

We often see or hear about car crashes in the news, and we all know someone who has been involved in a crash, but you rarely hear about a pedestrian accident. Nevertheless, they are probably more frequent than you think, approximately 15,000 pedestrians in New York are injured each year in motor vehicle related accidents. What are the causes of pedestrian accidents? There are various types of pedestrian accidents caused by the negligence of a driver, the pedestrian himself, or even the party responsible for maintaining the roadway. Unsurprisingly alcohol involvement for the driver and/or pedestrian was reported in nearly…

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No Fault Insurance

What Does “No Fault” Really Mean for Accident Victims?

Most New York drivers have probably heard the term “no fault” at some point, but based on the calls I receive to my office, I know that this is a term that has led to a lot of confusion.  Here are a few of the common questions I have received. What is no fault? Personal Injury Protection, commonly known as “no fault coverage” is included in every motor vehicle insurance policy sold in New York State.  This applies to drivers and passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists, but specifically excludes motorcyclists.  This coverage provides reimbursement for medical payments, lost wages and other…

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