- April 29, 2025
- Tucker Law
- Car Accident Lawsuits
Even the most cautious of drivers can experience an accident. This is often because other drivers on the road may not be as careful, whether through breaking traffic laws or driving while distracted or intoxicated. In either scenario, you can be left dealing with the stressful and costly aftermath, especially if the accident was a rear-end collision. Fortunately, in New York, you may have the option to pursue a rear-end collision settlement to help you recover these losses.
But how much money can you expect from an average settlement for such a crash? If you were injured in a rear-end accident, understanding which factors can impact your settlement is vital to ensuring you obtain enough damages to cover the costs associated with your recovery.
How No-Fault Insurance Affects Average Settlements in New York
New York uses a no-fault insurance system. This means that if you are involved in a car accident in New York, your insurance policy will typically provide compensation for your injuries, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
The no-fault system can be particularly frustrating in a rear-end collision, because the other driver is almost always at fault when you are hit from behind. When your insurance policy is providing compensation, you are restricted by whatever limits you purchased. In New York, the minimum auto insurance policy that you can purchase will cover only $25,000 of your medical bills and up to $2,000 per month in lost wages.
In many rear-end car accidents, any settlement you receive will be no higher than the policy limits that you paid for when you purchased your insurance. This means that if you paid only for the minimum, you can’t get more than $25,000 for medical expenses.
The Serious-Injury Threshold and Average Settlements
While the no-fault insurance system will apply in a majority of accidents, there is a way to step outside of it. If you suffer an injury that meets the serious-injury threshold, New York law allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party at fault for the accident.
In this case, you could potentially obtain significantly more compensation than the limits of your insurance policy. This is important because the value of a settlement is primarily affected by the seriousness of the injuries you suffer. If you meet the serious-injury threshold, your average medical bills — and, consequently, your settlement — will be higher than if you didn’t meet that threshold.
Were you seriously injured in a rear-end collision in New York? Despite no-fault insurance laws, you should still be able to get fair compensation for the injuries you suffered. Contact Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney near you.
The Importance of a Lawyer
Regardless of whether you are injured seriously enough to file a lawsuit, choosing to be represented by a personal injury lawyer can increase the value of any settlement you receive. Even after legal fees are paid, an injury victim who is represented by a lawyer can see a much higher average settlement. Rear-end accidents and the injuries involved in them can result in complex claims, making professional assistance crucial.
Car accident attorneys have a fundamental understanding of the process and can accurately determine the true value of your claim. They can also ensure an insurance company doesn’t get away with making a substandard settlement offer.
Additionally, experienced attorneys can independently investigate claims, which means they can gather evidence that the insurance company may have missed or ignored. This evidence can be critical in getting fair compensation.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in New York Today
Even though the other party is often at fault when you are hit from behind, New York car accident rules typically don’t take into consideration who was at fault. In general, the average settlement you can receive from a rear-end collision is the same as you would obtain from almost any other collision.
However, there are situations where an experienced car accident attorney can get you more than your policy allows. For this reason, it is essential for victims who were seriously injured in a rear-end collision to speak to a skilled lawyer to ensure they are not left to manage significant medical bills on their own.
Ready to explore your legal options after getting into a rear-end collision in New York? The experienced personal injury attorneys at Tucker Lawyers can help you understand your rights under the law. Contact us today at (516) 399-2364 to schedule a free consultation.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]