Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Handles Cases With Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage in New York City

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Handles Cases With Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage in New York City

A serious car accident in New York City can change everything in seconds. One moment you are driving through Brooklyn, crossing a busy Queens intersection, or heading home to the Bronx. Next, you are facing pain, medical treatment, missed work, and financial stress that keeps growing.

What many injured New Yorkers do not realize until after a crash is that the at-fault driver may only carry New York’s minimum auto insurance coverage. When injuries are severe, those insurance limits are often nowhere near enough to cover medical bills, lost income, and the long-term impact on your life.

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP helps injured New York City accident victims pursue every available source of compensation when insurance coverage is limited, unclear, or disputed. We represent clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Our goal is simple: protect you from being shortchanged by insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.

You can call now for a free consultation or contact us online. We will explain your legal options and help take the pressure off you and your family.

When Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Is Not Enough

New York law requires drivers to carry minimum auto insurance. That requirement ensures some coverage exists, but it does not guarantee meaningful protection after a serious accident.

Even a crash that seems minor at first can involve:

• Emergency room treatment and diagnostic imaging
• Follow-up medical care and physical therapy
• Missed paychecks and lost wages

More serious injuries, such as fractures, surgery, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal damage, can exhaust minimum insurance limits almost immediately.

If you are hearing statements like:

• “That is the policy limit.”
• “There is no more coverage available.”
• “You have to file with your own insurance first.”
• “You do not qualify for pain and suffering.”

You may be dealing with a minimum coverage car accident case. These cases require experienced legal strategy, careful investigation, and aggressive advocacy.

New York Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements Explained

New York is a mandatory auto insurance state. To legally register and operate a vehicle, drivers must carry specific types of coverage issued by a New York licensed insurance company.

Liability Insurance in New York

Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others if you are found at fault.

New York minimum liability limits include:

• $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
• $50,000 for bodily injury to all people in one accident
• $50,000 for the death of one person
• $100,000 for deaths of two or more people
• $10,000 for property damage

These limits may satisfy the law, but a serious New York City car accident can quickly exhaust them.

No-Fault Insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

New York follows a no-fault insurance system. This means your own insurance typically pays certain benefits regardless of who caused the crash.

Minimum PIP benefits may include:

• Up to $50,000 per person for medical expenses and lost wages
• 80 percent of lost income, capped at $2,000 per month for up to three years
• Up to $25 per day for certain necessary expenses
• A $2,000 death benefit

PIP can be critical immediately after a crash, but it has strict limits and does not cover all losses.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage may apply if you are injured by:

• A driver with no insurance
• A hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified

Minimum uninsured motorist limits are typically $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

What Minimum Auto Insurance Does Not Cover

Many injured New York City accident victims are shocked by what minimum insurance does not pay for.

Minimum coverage often does not fully cover:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Long-term or future medical care
• Reduced earning capacity
• Permanent disabilities
• Major vehicle losses

To pursue compensation beyond no-fault benefits, including pain and suffering, your injuries must meet New York’s legal serious injury threshold.

Understanding the Serious Injury Threshold in New York

New York law allows accident victims to step outside the no-fault system when injuries are severe enough.

Examples of qualifying serious injuries include:

• Fractures
• Significant disfigurement
• Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function, or system
• Permanent or significant limitation of use of a body function or system
• Injuries that prevent normal daily activities for at least 90 of the first 180 days after the accident
• Death

Meeting this threshold depends heavily on medical records, diagnostic testing, and the extent to which the injury affects your daily life and ability to work.

How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Handles Minimum Coverage Car Accident Cases

When insurance limits are low, cases cannot be handled casually. Every dollar matters and every detail counts.

Our New York City car accident lawyers may help by:

• Conducting a thorough investigation using police reports, traffic cameras, surveillance footage, and witness statements
• Identifying all possible insurance policies and coverage layers
• Reviewing vehicle ownership and permissive use issues
• Evaluating employer, commercial vehicle, rideshare, or delivery driver involvement
• Analyzing uninsured and underinsured motorist options
• Presenting injuries and damages clearly to prevent insurance minimization
• Preparing cases for litigation when insurance companies refuse to act fairly

You get one chance at recovery. We treat your case with the seriousness it deserves.

Uninsured, Underinsured, and Hit and Run Accidents in NYC

Despite New York insurance laws, uninsured and underinsured drivers remain on the road. Hit-and-run accidents are also common in New York City.

Uninsured motorist claims are time-sensitive and heavily scrutinized by insurance companies. In some cases, additional compensation may be available through:

• Underinsured motorist coverage
• Claims against vehicle owners
• Claims against employers or commercial entities
• Other legally responsible parties

Speaking with a lawyer early can protect your rights and preserve valuable benefits.

Rental Car Accidents and Minimum Insurance Coverage

Rental car companies in New York are required to provide minimum liability coverage. However, that coverage may not fully protect you.

Important factors include:

• Whether a Collision Damage Waiver applies
• Whether your personal auto insurance extends to the rental
• Whether credit card coverage applies and its limitations

These situations can be complex. We help accident victims understand how rental car insurance works and what coverage applies.

Serving Accident Victims Across All Five Boroughs

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP proudly represents injured clients throughout:

• Manhattan
• Brooklyn
• Queens
• The Bronx
• Staten Island

We handle cases involving:

• Car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft
• Delivery truck and commercial vehicle crashes
• Hit and run accidents
• Uninsured and underinsured drivers

Free Consultation With a New York City Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been told the insurance is “minimum” or “not enough,” do not assume there are no options.

Contact Greenstein & Pittari, LLP today for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand what compensation may still be available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage in NYC

What is the minimum auto insurance required in New York?

New York requires liability insurance, no-fault PIP coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Standard minimums include $25,000 and $50,000 bodily injury liability, $10,000 property damage, and $50,000 in PIP benefits.

If the at-fault driver only has minimum insurance, can I still recover compensation?

Often yes. Compensation may be available through no-fault benefits, liability claims, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or claims against other responsible parties.

Why do I have to use my own insurance first?

New York’s no-fault system requires most medical and wage loss benefits to be paid through your own PIP coverage first, regardless of fault.

Does minimum PIP cover pain and suffering?

No. Pain and suffering damages usually require meeting the serious injury threshold and filing a claim against the at-fault driver.

What if my medical bills exceed $50,000?

This is common in serious accidents. Additional compensation may be available depending on the facts of your case and available insurance coverage.

What if the accident was a hit-and-run?

Uninsured motorist coverage may apply, but strict notice deadlines exist. Speaking with a lawyer quickly is essential.

Should I talk to the insurance adjuster?

Be cautious. Insurance adjusters are trained to limit payouts. You can speak with a lawyer first to protect your claim.

How long do I have to file a claim or lawsuit?

Deadlines vary depending on the type of claim and parties involved. Waiting too long can permanently bar your case.

How much does it cost to speak with Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?

Consultations are free. You pay nothing unless we are successful.

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP

Injured New Yorkers choose our firm because we combine local presence with relentless advocacy.

• Local Harlem office and multiple convenient locations
• No fee unless we win. Our Fee Guarantee applies
• Bilingual services available
• Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
• We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
• Top-rated, award-winning personal injury lawyers

Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law. Our motto is Don’t Be a Victim Twice.

If an uninsured or underinsured driver injured you, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation.

We maintain offices in Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 today. The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay unless we are successful.

Take the Next Step Today

If minimum auto insurance coverage is standing between you and the recovery you need after a New York City car accident, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP is ready to help.

You can call now or contact us online for a free consultation. You focus on healing. We focus on protecting your rights and pursuing maximum compensation.