What Is Liability in a New York City Car Accident?

If you cause a car accident in New York City, you could be held liable for financially compensating victims of the accident suffering physical injuries and other damages. Although NY is a “no-fault” car insurance state (i.e., your car insurance is responsible for paying some lost wages and medical expenses matter who is at fault), some claimants injured by the at-fault driver may bypass the confines of NY’s no-fault guidelines.

A car accident lawyer available to serve NYC can make a claim for pain and suffering if you have a qualifying “serious injury,” which is defined to mean :

a personal injury which results in death; dismemberment; significant disfigurement; a fracture; loss of a fetus; permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system; permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member; significant limitation of use of a body function or system; or a medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than ninety days during the one hundred eighty days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment.

Lending Your Car to Another Driver Could Make You Liable for an Accident

Many NYC drivers do not know they can be held liable for damages incurred by someone they allow to drive their car. If you allow an intoxicated, unlicensed, mentally/physically ill, or otherwise unfit person to operate your car and that person causes an accident that injures someone, you could be liable for compensating victims of that accident.

Statute of Limitations and Liability

If you are a New York city resident or visitor who was struck by a negligent driver and sustained serious injuries, you should contact a car accident lawyer like William Mattar as soon as possible. In addition to finding out if your injuries qualify as a “serious injury,” there are time deadlines that can restrict your ability to file a claim.

Comparative Fault and Liability

Comparative fault involves two or more parties who have been found to contribute to a car accident. Victims of accidents where comparative fault rules play a role can obtain compensation from one or all at-fault parties. However, if the victim is found to have contributed to the accident, his or her compensation amount could be reduced.

New York state liability and vehicle insurance laws can be complicated and require extensive research if you are not familiar with them. Trying to representative yourself in an auto accident case in which you may be entitled to compensation could result in a delay or reduction of compensation. If you are looking for a NYC car accident attorney, William Mattar can help. Call 444-4444 to schedule a consultation.