new york no-fault pain and suffering
Learn how to sue for pain and suffering under New York’s no-fault insurance system.

New York is a “no-fault” state. This means that the legislature has set up a system of rules to ensure that people who are injured in car crashes have medical coverage.  In other words, it is health insurance for people who are injured in car accidents.

When the New York legislature gave us these no-fault benefits, they took away our right to sue for every little bump or bruise.  The reason is this: 

Your medical bills have been taken care of; if you are missing time from work, you are going to be re-paid; and your out-of-pocket expenses have been reimbursed.  

Related: Understanding New York’s No-Fault Insurance System

So in theory you’ve been put back in the same place you were prior to the crash. In reality, that is not often the case but regardless, a threshold was created with our no-fault law. 

Can I Sue for Pain and Suffering Under New York’s No-Fault System?

Yes, but, before you can recover any money for pain and suffering after a car crash in New York you must prove that your injuries are “serious” under our law.

What Qualifies as a “Serious” Injury Under New York Law?

This term “serious” has a legal definition under New York law – and the legalese follows:  “Serious injury” means a personal injury which results in:

  • death;
  • dismemberment;
  • significant disfigurement;
  • a fracture;
  • loss of a fetus;
  • permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system;
  • permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member;
  • significant limitation of use of a body function or system; or
  • a medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature that prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less than ninety days during the one hundred eighty days immediately following the occurrence of the injury or impairment.

So we have nine different ways that you can be seriously injured.  And remember, you can only recover money for pain and suffering in New York if you fit into one of these nine categories. 

Some of the categories are self-explanatory, like death, dismemberment, a significant disfigurement, a fracture, or the loss of a fetus, but the rest may leave you scratching your head. It is these remaining categories where the majority of claims fall.

RECENT CASE RESULT

$400,000 Settlement for Injuries Caused by Auto Accident

Our firm helped obtain a $400,000.00 settlement for a 50 year old NYC Department of Education security guard who was injured in a two-car accident when a young driver made a U-turn into her car.

Get Your Free Consult

 

In their simplest form, these categories are all some variation on the same idea:

You used to be able to do things one way and now, due to the injuries you sustained in the accident, you can’t do things the same. You are limited. 

These limitations can come in the form of your everyday tasks, like getting dressed, doing housework, cooking, cleaning, and sleeping.  Or perhaps your inability to enjoy hobbies, or sports, or exercise.  We call these “qualitative” limitations.  

Then there are the things you can actually measure; your inability to turn your neck, bend over, raise your arm over your head or straighten out your leg.  These things are called “quantitative” limitations.

How Can I Prove My Injuries Meet New York’s Definition of “Serious”?

But how do we go about proving these injuries?  There is no set formula, but consistent medical treatment over a course of time, combined with objective evidence of an injury (i.e. an MRI, EMG/nerve test, or the like) is a good start. 

Each case is different, and each case turns on its own facts but these are some basic ideas that will help you have an understanding of what must be proven.

Personal Injury in New York? Reach Out to Ferrante & Koenig 24/7 for Qualified Legal Guidance.

 

New York Attorney for Pain and Suffering Claims

As personal injury attorneys, our job is to maximize the compensation that our clients can recover after an accident. In most cases, that means proving that their injuries meet the definition of “serious” under New York law. If you’ve been injured, don’t hesitate to reach out using the form below to schedule a free consultation.

Prev Post Next Post