You’re driving through Midtown when traffic suddenly stops, and another car slams into your bumper. Dazed, you pull over to exchange information, but instead of an insurance card, the other driver admits they don’t have coverage. Now you’re injured, staring at medical bills and repair estimates, wondering how you’ll afford to recover.
In New York, several built-in protections can help you cover medical expenses and replace lost wages, even if the liable driver can’t. But to access those benefits, you need to understand your options and act quickly.
Here’s what to know and how a skilled New York City car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and maximize compensation.
How Common are Uninsured Driver Accidents in New York?
According to recent estimates, about 8.6% of New York drivers lacked insurance in 2023. It’s the eighth-lowest rate in the country, but with more than 12 million registered drivers statewide, that still amounts to hundreds of thousands of uninsured motorists on the road.
Each year, countless crashes, including many hit-and-run collisions, involve drivers without active insurance, leaving injured victims with few ways to recover. In these cases, there’s often no direct route to getting compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance.
That’s where New York’s no-fault system and uninsured motorist (UM) policies step in.
How New York’s No-Fault Insurance Protects You
After an accident with an uninsured or someone who flees the scene, your first concern is often how to pay for care. New York’s no-fault insurance system fills that gap by letting you turn to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for immediate support, regardless of who caused the accident.
Benefits typically include:
| What’s Covered | How It Helps You | Details |
| Medical Care | Pays for hospital bills, doctor visits, surgery, and rehabilitation. | Up to $50,000 per person under basic PIP benefits. |
| Lost Wages | Reimburses part of your income while you can’t work. | Up to 80% of your lost earnings, capped by your policy limit. |
| Transportation to Treatment | Covers mileage or cab fare for medical appointments. | Included within the PIP limit. |
| Household Help | Covers reasonable services you can’t perform due to injury. | Included within the PIP limit. |
For example, if you’re hit by an uninsured driver and suffer a back injury, your PIP coverage would pay your hospital bills, therapy, and up to 80% of your lost wages (within your policy cap). These benefits also apply if you were a passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian.
PIP provides a financial cushion after a crash, even when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be found.
When No-Fault Insurance Isn’t Enough: UM and UIM Coverage
While PIP provides essential protection, serious injuries often exceed its limits. That’s where Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) insurance can help.
Both are designed to protect you when the other driver can’t fully pay for your losses. UM coverage is mandatory in New York, while UIM protection is included by default unless you opt out in writing.
Here’s how these policies work:
| Type | When It Applies | What It Covers |
| Uninsured Motorist | The at-fault driver has no insurance or leaves the scene (hit-and-run). | Medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering. |
| Underinsured Motorist | The at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t cover your full losses. | The remaining costs are beyond the other driver’s policy limits. |
Accessing UM or UIM benefits isn’t always straightforward. To seek damages for pain, suffering, or lasting effects, your injuries must qualify as serious under New York law, such as a broken bone, disfigurement, or loss of bodily function.
And even though the claim goes through your insurer, they still look for ways to limit what they pay. That’s why acting promptly and documenting your damages is crucial for your case.
What to do After an Uninsured or Hit-and-Run Accident
If you’re hurt by a driver without insurance or who leaves the scene, your actions can affect your ability to seek compensation in an uninsured driver claim in New York.
Here’s what to do:
- Call the Police Immediately: Report the crash to law enforcement as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours if the driver left the scene. This is required for UM eligibility.
- Seek Medical Care: Get checked right away, even for minor injuries, and make sure all treatment is documented for health and insurance purposes.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident promptly and ask how to file a no-fault and UM/UIM claim.
- Collect Evidence: Take photographs, record witness statements, and request any available surveillance footage.
- Contact a Qualified Attorney: Speak with an experienced car accident lawyer to review your coverage, gather supporting evidence, and handle communication with insurers.
These steps protect your rights to compensation and can help you recover the maximum amount available.
How Douglas & London Can Help
Dealing with an uninsured driver accident is confusing, especially when you’re hurt and bills are piling up. Insurance companies may delay, deny, or minimize your claim, leaving you unsure where to turn next.
The attorneys at Douglas & London know New York’s no-fault and UM/UIM system rules and how to make them work for you.
Our team can:
- Review your insurance policy for hidden coverage opportunities.
- File and manage your PIP and UM/UIM claims on your behalf.
- Investigate hit-and-run crashes to identify additional liable parties.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurers to maximize your settlement.
- With years of experience and a track record of million-dollar settlements, we ensure you receive every dollar available under the law.
Get Fair Compensation After a New York City Crash
If you’ve been hurt by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver in New York, don’t lose hope. With no-fault benefits and UM/UIM coverage, you could access more compensation than you realize.
For more than two decades, Douglas & London has fought and won for injury victims across New York. Don’t let an uninsured driver leave you paying the price. Contact us today for a free consultation.