New York is considered a no-fault state, which means a person in a car accident will contact their own insurance company for coverage after they have been in an accident. major law firms This happens regardless of who was at fault in the accident. In order to sue the at-fault driver, the person who was injured will have to have a significant amount of injuries. At this point, they can start looking into the best injury lawyers to help them obtain compensation for their injuries.

What are the Serious Injuries Needed for a Lawsuit?

When a person has been injured in a car accident, they cannot sue the other driver for compensation for their injuries unless they meet at least one of the following criteria. They can still sue the at-fault driver for significant amounts of property damage.

Significant disfigurement

Bone fracture

Permanent limitation of body part

Significant limitation of body function

Full disability for at least 90 days

Why is Hiring a Lawyer Necessary?

If a person meets any of the above criteria, hiring a lawyer might be necessary to ensure all medical bills are going to be covered. In New York, the minimum requirement for car insurance is $25,000 per person for personal injury protection. If the person only has the minimum amount of coverage, it's not likely going to fully cover any of the above situations. This means the person will need to pay out of pocket for the rest. By working with one of the best law firms, the person can obtain the amount from the at-fault driver so they do not have to cover it on their own.

What if the Person is Partially Liable?

In New York, the victim of the accident can be partially liable and still obtain compensation for their injuries and can still ask for coverage from the at-fault driver if it meets the above criteria. The person, however, will have the amount awarded reduced by their percentage of fault in the accident. For instance, if a person is considered to be 20% at fault for the accident, the at-fault driver will be responsible for 80% of the compensation and the victim will be responsible for 20% of their own compensation.

Laws regarding accidents, who can file, and how much they can obtain can be incredibly complex and confusing. If a person isn't sure whether they can hire a lawyer for their case, it's recommended they have a consultation with a lawyer like one from Gersowitz Libo & Korek. They can find out what their rights are, whether or not they can file, and how much compensation they might be able to obtain. For more information, visit www.lawyertime.com today.