Port Washington’s peninsula has a mix of busy and quiet roads: Port Washington Boulevard (Route 101) and Shore Road carry through traffic, Main Street fills with shoppers and diners, and the LIRR terminal brings a daily rush of commuters. Winding residential streets, hills and blind curves add their own risks. When a crash here causes serious injuries, one problem comes up again and again: the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the harm. Car accident lawyer Yakov Mushiyev explains what you can do about it.
Why policy limits matter
New York requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but the state minimums are low compared with the cost of a serious injury. A crash that causes surgery, months off work and lasting limitations can easily be worth far more than the other driver’s policy. Once the at-fault driver’s insurer pays its limit, it generally won’t pay more.
SUM coverage: your own protection
Supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (SUM) is part of your own auto policy. It can pay when the at-fault driver:
- Has no insurance at all
- Can’t be identified, as in a hit-and-run
- Has liability limits too low to cover your losses
SUM coverage often applies from your own policy or a household member’s policy, even if you weren’t in your own car. Many people don’t know they have it. Check every auto policy in your household, or have us check them for you.
How an underinsured claim works
- Claim against the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, up to its limit.
- Get your SUM carrier’s written consent before accepting the other driver’s policy limits. Settling without that consent can jeopardize your SUM claim.
- Present your SUM claim to your own insurer, which may be resolved by negotiation or arbitration.
SUM policies have strict notice requirements. Tell your insurer about a potential underinsured claim as early as possible.
When no insurance exists
If there’s no available insurance at all, MVAIC, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation, may provide limited coverage, with short filing deadlines. Hit-and-run victims should read our drunk driving and hit-and-run guide.
Port Washington crash hotspots
- Port Washington Boulevard: the main route on and off the peninsula, with heavy commuter traffic
- Main Street and the station area: pedestrians, parking maneuvers and commuter rush; see our pedestrian accident page
- Shore Road and residential streets: curves, hills and limited sight lines
The basics still apply
No-fault pays medical bills and part of lost wages first (see our New York no-fault guide), and pain and suffering claims require a serious injury under Insurance Law § 5102(d). Lawsuits generally must be filed within three years under CPLR § 214. See our car accident practice page and our guide for a car accident lawyer in Nassau County.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have SUM coverage?
Check the declarations page of your auto policy for supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. A car accident lawyer in Port Washington can review every policy in your household.
Does using SUM raise my premium?
SUM is coverage you paid for. Insurers’ rating practices vary, but an underinsured claim arising from someone else’s fault is different from an at-fault claim.
Can I accept the other driver’s policy limit right away?
Get your SUM insurer’s written consent first. Accepting without it can put your SUM claim at risk.
Why work with car accident lawyer Yakov Mushiyev
A car accident lawyer Port Washington drivers hire after a serious crash should check every source of coverage, not just the other driver’s policy. Yakov Mushiyev reviews household auto policies, SUM limits and any commercial coverage to find every dollar available. The firm has recovered more than $80 million for injured New Yorkers. If you need a car accident lawyer Port Washington residents can meet close to home, we’re glad to come to you.
Getting to our office from Port Washington
Our Rosedale office is easy to reach from Port Washington by taking the Long Island Expressway or Northern State Parkway west to the Cross Island Parkway south. The map below shows exactly where we are.
Visit Yakov Mushiyev & Associates
Our office is at 1 Cross Island Plaza, Suite 325, Rosedale, NY 11422, just off the Cross Island Parkway on the Queens–Nassau border. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you: at home, in the hospital or by video.
Talk to a car accident lawyer in Port Washington today
Yakov Mushiyev & Associates has recovered over $80 million for injured New Yorkers across the five boroughs and Nassau County. Consultations are free, available in English, Russian and Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.
Call 718.775.3110 or contact us online for a free case review.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. Attorney Advertising.