Car accidents can have complicated deadlines, which if you are not careful in observing, can mean the loss of benefits. Normally you have three years to sue a private party for your auto accident injuries but there are some shorter deadlines. For example, and very importantly for no-fault benefits (that is your own car’s insurance that pays your medical bills or if you are a pedestrian the insurance on the car that hits you) you have only thirty days to file your application with the correct insurer to collect payment for medical expenses and loss of earnings of up to $50,000.00. If you are one day late you lose the right to these benefits. That’s why it is important that you make sure you immediately identify the correct insurer. And if in doubt, file with them all. You can sort it out later.

Uninsured or underinsurance coverage is insurance that you can purchase on your own car to protect yourself if you are in an accident with a vehicle that does not have enough insurance. Underinsurance can act as an "excess" liability policy to the other vehicle and we very strongly recommend purchasing it.

Excess no-fault benefits are also very beneficial. Although the State mandates that you must have at least $50,000.00 in coverage, you can purchase additional coverage. Again, look at your policy language – or have your auto accident lawyer do it to send everything, do this right away.

What if the car that hits you is, for example owned by the New York City Department of Parks or is a State owned vehicle or is operated by an employee of the Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority. (There are numerous different public authorities –these are just examples). Don’t wait because you think you have three years to bring the suit. If you do – you are mistaken. Municipalities, public authorities, and other public agencies all have very short statutes of limitations. Also before you can even sue, you must have first served a Notice of Claim, often in as short a period as 90 days from the date of the occurrence (and in some cases less than 90 days). It you fail to comply with these notice provisions, you lose the right to sue.