Three claims commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents occurring in New York:
(1) Property damage claim. Property damage claims involve damages sustained to property – most commonly, your car. If your vehicle is hit by another vehicle in an accident, you can file a property damage claim. Often a vehicle owner will file a property damage claim with their own insurance company, assuming they have collision insurance. Collision deductibles apply. If you know who caused the accident, you may also have the option to file a property damage claim against that person’s insurance policy.
(2) No-Fault claim. No-Fault claims involve claims for economic losses associated with a car accident, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Common economic losses are medical expenses and lost wages. If you are injured in a car accident and you sustain economic losses, you can file a No-Fault claim with the company that insures the car that you were in when you were injured. This insurance coverage is also referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
(3) Bodily Injury claim. Bodily injury claims involve claims for personal injuries sustained in a car accident. Bodily injury claims address non-economic losses – pain and suffering. Bodily injury claims are filed against the person who is at fault for the accident. If you are injured in a car accident, you can file a bodily injury claim with the company that insures the vehicle that caused the accident.