What Should You Know About No- Fault?

New York is one of the twelve states that provide no-fault insurance coverage. No-fault insurance coverage, also known as personal injury protection (PIP), is designed to ensure that drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists are provided coverage for accident-related economic losses regardless of who is at fault for the accident. A no- fault claimant is required by law to submit to the insurance carrier no-fault application (NF-2 Form) as soon as possible, but no longer than 30 days, from the date of accident.  No-fault can cover basic economic loss such as ambulance and hospital expenses, doctor bills, prescription and pharmacy bills, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic treatments. No-fault can also pay 80% of lost wages up to $2,000 a month. In order to get compensated for lost wages the claimant’s employer must complete a wage verification form (NF-6 Form), which must be submitted to the insurance carrier. No-fault can cover an individual’s basic economic loss up to $50,000 for up to three years. Additionally, no-fault can cover up to $25 a day for mileage to and from accident-related treatment and doctors appointments as well as caretaker expenses.

This is quite a lot of information to digest, but practically speaking, what does this all mean? First, make sure to submit the no-fault application as soon as possible since the deadline is a strict 30 day time limit. Second, make sure to keep all receipts, medical bills, travel expenses, and logs of mileage that are related to the accident and submit them to the no-fault carrier as soon as you receive them. Third, make sure to have your employer complete the wage verification form and submit to no-fault as soon as possible. Fourth, make sure to comply with the medical appointments and requests that the no-fault carrier makes since they can cut-off no-fault coverage for lack of compliance. Lastly, contact your attorney for further direction and guidance.

At William Mattar, we offer a free case evaluation if you or someone you know was injured in a car accident. For your free case evaluation, contact one of our Buffalo car accident lawyers.