How To File New York’s No-Fault Application
How to File New York State’s No-Fault Accident
When you are injured in a motor vehicle accident in New York, you’ll need to file a No-Fault insurance claim to receive payments for any accident-related medical bills or lost wages. These payments will come from either your automobile insurance policy or another’s, depending on how the accident took place. It is important to know who to file your claim with, especially since you only have 30 days to file your claim. If you mistakenly send your No-Fault claim to the wrong insurer, it will be denied. If you were the operator or passenger of a car in an accident, you must file your claim to the automobile insurer of the car you were in. If you were a pedestrian or cyclist and were struck by a car, file your claim to the automobile insurer of the car that struck you. If you were the driver or passenger of a motorcycle and were involved in an accident, unfortunately, the No-Fault law does not apply and you will have to rely on your private health insurance.
The New York State No-Fault application, also known as New York State Form NF-2, can be downloaded from the New York State Department of Financial Services website. The first portion of the form asks for basic information, such as your name, address, and phone number. It also requires a description of the accident you were involved in. If you are unsure of what to write, refer to the Police Accident Report’s description.
Next, the application will ask about your injuries from the accident. Provide a complete list of your injuries. Even ones that seem minor should be documented. Failing to list all of your injuries could cause complications down the line, especially if the insurance carrier covering receives bills for injuries not listed on your application. The application will ask if you have received any accident-related medical treatment prior to your claim so the insurance carrier can pay these healthcare providers.
You will also need to provide information on your current employment and any missed time from work due to your accident. If your accident occurred while you were working, it’s important that you contact your employer’s worker’s compensation carrier. That carrier is primarily responsible for your medical bills and lost wages. But, even though worker’s compensation is primary to No-Fault insurance in this scenario, you should still complete the No-Fault claim as it may provide benefits that are not covered by your worker’s compensation insurance.
The last section requires your signature. Look over the form before signing to review it and assure it is accurate and filled out correctly. If you decide to e-file your No-Fault application, make sure that you save your confirmation number for future reference in case your application gets lost. If you send your application through the mail, send it using certified return receipt mail. It’s important to maintain proof that your application was received in case the insurance carrier misplaces it.
For an explanation of the New York State No-Fault law and what it covers, click here.
Important deadlines to know for your car accident case
Medical bills and lost wages are paid through no-fault insurance. All no-fault insurance carriers require a no-fault application to be filed within thirty days. Failing to do so may result in denial of your no-fault benefits and may make you personally responsible for the bills.
In car accident cases there is generally a three-year statute of limitations to initiate a lawsuit. However, that time period may be reduced to as little as 90 days if your car accident involves a municipal, state, or federal entity. So, it’s best to check with a qualified car accident attorney as soon as possible.
When To Consult With A Long Island Car Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered injuries in Suffolk County, Long Island from a car accident, it is a good idea to consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Hiring an attorney early on in the process will help protect your legal rights, ensure your medical bills and lost wages are paid, and give you an advantage in building a strong personal injury case. An early investigation will also help preserve key evidence in your case.
How Much Is My Long Island Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of an injury suffered in a car accident is an accumulation of several different factors. These include any accident-related economic expenses such as lost wages and damage to your car as well as non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and mental anguish. At Palermo Law, our experience in handling thousands of car accident cases allows us to accurately assess the value of your case to determine the fairest settlement or jury award. In cases of long-term injuries, we partner with experts in the fields of medicine and economics to make sure that your compensation is adjusted for future inflation. This allows you peace of mind knowing that you will be compensated for years to come.