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Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys in New York City

Crashes involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles often result in serious injuries. At Lipsig Law, we represent NYC accident victims—investigating, advocating, and fighting for full compensation for your losses.

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Helping Injured Victims Recover Compensation

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you know how overwhelming the aftermath can be. Even a seemingly minor crash can result in significant financial strain, physical pain, and emotional stress. Recovering those losses is too important to leave in the hands of an insurance company. Let an experienced New York personal injury lawyer help you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Every motor vehicle accident is unique due to the circumstances involved. Knowledgeable New York motor vehicle accident attorneys are skilled at representing a wide variety of such accidents:

If you’ve been injured in any traffic accident, a dedicated motor vehicle accident attorney can help.

Establishing Fault

PIP is a no-fault insurance policy, as explained above. So you can use them even if you are responsible for a crash. But uninsured motorist coverage depends on fault. If you are at fault, you can’t use UM coverage benefits. Instead, you can only use them if another person is to blame.

Sometimes, the fault is easy to analyze. If a motorist ran a red light and slammed into you, that driver is at fault. But if you were T-boned coming out of a parking lot, then either you or the driver who struck you might be to blame, depending on the circumstances.

Your uninsured motorist insurer might object to paying benefits by claiming you are to blame for the accident. This means you need to work hard to convince your own insurer that your accident falls within your policy coverage.

At our firm, we can help establish fault by interviewing you and any passengers about what happened, as well as other witnesses, such as bystanders. We can review the police report critically and, if necessary, visit the accident scene.

No-Fault Coverage in New York

As a “No-Fault” benefit, every vehicle occupant receives these benefits without any proof of a driver’s fault or negligence in causing the crash. This New York no-fault insurance coverage is vital for our clients who are hurt in a vehicle accident; we actively work with them to ensure the insurance company pays for all medical care and treatment they and their doctors deem medically necessary.

New York law also provides a way to obtain more “no-fault” coverage than the NY State minimum: an option to buy additional coverage through either APIP (additional PIP) or OBEL (optional basic economic loss). Both of these options provide extra protection beyond the mandatory $50,000 coverage. You must pay an additional premium for both APIP and OBEL coverage.

What is APIP Coverage?

APIP coverage provides a higher overall policy limit and the right to receive more than $2,000 in lost-wage benefits. It is typically offered in increments of $50,000.  There are different types of APIP coverage, and one can purchase APIP protection for lost wages, medical expenses, or additional expenses.

What is OBEL Coverage?

OBEL coverage also provides up to $25,000 in additional coverage beyond the $50,000 in basic economic loss coverage (total of $75,000). This coverage is triggered after the mandatory PIP coverage of $50,000 is exhausted. With OBEL coverage, the injured person decides who will receive the money. For instance, you may have the OBEL coverage reimburse your physical therapist or be paid for your lost wages. This coverage only becomes available after you have exhausted the initial $50,000 of basic economic loss coverage.

Benefits of APIP & OBEL Coverage

Both APIP and OBEL coverage are valuable to consider when you buy or renew your auto insurance in New York because, with the levels of current wages and medical costs, the NY minimum can leave an insured person or their family member with many unpaid medical bills and lost wages that can affect your ability to support yourself and your family.

An auto accident can easily leave an injured victim with financial hardship and the inability to pay their regular bills for food and their home or apartment. For example, wage benefits under the minimum no-fault policy provide only 80% of your lost wages, up to a maximum of $2,000 per month (i.e., only up to $24,000 for an entire year). Additional APIP coverage will allow you to increase that monthly amount, so more of your monthly salary is covered.

For example, if you earn $4,000 per month, you can purchase an APIP policy that will increase your lost wage earnings to $4,000 per month. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident and are unable to work and earn your living to support yourself and your family, APIP will cover 80% of $4,000; the underlying no-fault policy will pay the first $2,000, and APIP will cover the remaining amount.

FAQs about Motor Vehicle Accidents

While every motor vehicle accident is naturally unique to its own circumstances, the basic legalities and logistics remain the same. As such, the answers to the following commonly asked questions can help you make better-informed decisions related to your own unique motor vehicle accident:

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, the last thing you may want to take on is hiring an attorney, and that’s understandable. After all, you’ve been through a lot. It’s important to recognize, however, that making one simple phone call or online contact to a reputable, experienced NYC motor vehicle accident attorney will help relieve you of the burden associated with pursuing your claim. While you concentrate on the crucial job or recovering your health, your dedicated motor vehicle accident attorney will attend to building your strongest case – in support of the compensation you need to heal fully and move forward.

You’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, and as you watch your medical bills mount and your income dwindle, it’s only natural to be concerned about the expense of hiring an attorney. Reputable motor vehicle accident attorneys, however, work on a contingency basis for this very reason, and this means that they don’t get paid until you are ultimately compensated for the damages you’ve suffered as a result of the at-fault party’s negligence

This is a great question, and when it comes to motor vehicle claims, it’s essential to be proactive. One of the most important steps you can take is to follow your doctor’s medical advice carefully. If you don’t take your injuries seriously, the insurance company involved will also be less inclined to do so. Additionally, refraining from posting on social media until your case is finalized is a great idea. The involved insurance company is almost certainly watching your accounts in the hope that you’ll trip up and post something that bolsters their stance – whether there’s a legitimate connection or not.

Finally, remember that your attorney will provide the insurance company with all the documentation and information that it needs, so don’t allow an insurance representative to engage you in a lengthy conversation or in a question-and-answer session. These reps are good at what they do, and simply referring the insurance representative assigned to your case to your attorney is always the best course of action.

If the insurance company involved in your case makes a speedy settlement offer, it’s a pretty good sign that it would like to take care of your claim before you get a handle on the full extent of your associated damages. The insurance company is well aware that certain kinds of injuries tend to worsen with time and/or to be closely related to secondary health concerns that can ultimately make the injuries you’ve sustained more costly and more serious. Never accept a settlement offer until you’ve discussed the matter with your attorney.

Dealing with the Insurance Company

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you will almost certainly be dealing with one or more insurance companies. It is important to remember that insurance providers are businesses focused on protecting their bottom line, and one way they do that is by limiting what they pay in claims.

You are not required to give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, and it is often in your best interest not to. After an accident, you may be disoriented, upset, or simply not thinking clearly, and anything you say can later be used to challenge your claim or shift blame.

Instead, let an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney handle communication with the insurance company. A skilled attorney will know how to protect your rights, guide the process, and advocate for the full compensation you deserve.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, even if you feel fine at the time, it is important to seek medical attention right away. The adrenaline released during a stressful event like a crash can mask pain and symptoms, making injuries less obvious at first.

Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue damage, and spinal cord injuries, may not present symptoms immediately. These types of injuries can worsen over time, becoming more serious and harder to treat if left unaddressed. Getting prompt medical care helps protect both your health and any future legal claim you may pursue.

Contact an Experienced Accident Attorney Today

Motor vehicle accidents take many forms, but all carry serious risks. If you have been injured due to another driver’s negligence, the legal team at Lipsig Law in New York is here to help. With decades of experience and a strong track record of results, we are committed to fighting for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys are proud to continue the firm’s long-standing legacy of helping injury victims recover physically, emotionally, and financially. To schedule a free consultation, please contact or call us at 212-285-3300 today.

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