No-Fault Insurance
You may be entitled to coverage even if a victim of a hit-and-run and regardless of immigration status.
If you were injured due to the careless operation of a motor vehicle in New York, you likely are entitled to $50,000 of no-fault insurance coverage that can pay your ambulance and medical bills, reimburse some lost wages and even cover the cost of some necessary transportation costs.
No-Fault insurance provides up to $50,000 to pay medical bills, reimburse some travel expenses and reimburse some lost wages. Medical bills are paid directly to your providers, and it is essential that you provide every medical provider you have seen for your injuries, past and future, with the no-fault claim number and insurer information as soon as possible.
“Necessary” transportation expenses are reimbursable at a rate of up to $25/day. Receipts must be provided to the insurer to verify the expense within 30 days of the charge, or it may be denied. Insurers generally accept that medical visits are “necessary” but may balk at reimbursing travel expenses for commuting or shopping. You can still submit receipts for this travel, but it might require arbitration to obtain reimbursement, and even then, recovery is not guaranteed.
Lost wages may be reimbursed where supported by a doctor’s note or other medical record stating that you were physically unable to work for a given period and by documentation from your employer indicating your rate of pay during that period - an NF6 form will need to be completed by your employer to document this. Reimbursement is made at a rate of 80% of your lost wages subject to a $200 deductible and up to a maximum of $2,000 per month.
If my office is processing your No-Fault claim, it is essential that you provide us with the required receipts and documents as soon as possible – no later than 15 days after the charge is incurred or a document is requested. Likewise, if you are handling the claim yourself, assume everything has a 20-day deadline for submission to the insurance company (most things actually have a 30-day deadline, but if you assume 20, then you will not be late).
** Note though, if you are the operator of a motor cycle (which includes mopeds and e-bikes with motors that assist over 25mph) then you may not be entitled to coverage.
Coverage Exists even if a hit-and-run and regardless of immigration status
If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run or were hit by a driver not carrying insurance, No-Fault coverage, and possibly bodily injury compensation can still be obtained through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC). So don’t avoid calling police and taking the ambulance to the hospital for fear you cannot afford it. If you are a resident of New York State, were injured due to the impact of a hit-and-run or uninsured driver, were not the operator of a motorcycle (including mopeds) and reported the crash to police within 24 hours, you may qualify for coverage. And this coverage is available regardless of your immigration status.
Note though, if you are the operator of a motor cycle (which includes mopeds and e-bikes with motors that assist over 25mph) then you will not be entitled to coverage through MVAIC.