New York Car Accident Laws
Last reviewed June 2026
Quick answer. New York is a no-fault state. You have 3 years to file a personal injury claim (CPLR 214), and the state follows pure comparative negligence (CPLR 1411). Minimum liability coverage is 25/50/10.
New York Car Accident Quick Facts
| System | No-fault |
|---|---|
| Filing deadline | 3 years (CPLR 214) |
| Fault rule | Pure comparative (CPLR 1411) |
| Threshold to sue | Serious injury threshold under N.Y. Insurance Law section 5102(d), nine categories including death, dismemberment, fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent consequential limitation, significant limitation of use, and the 90/180-day category |
| Minimum liability | 25,000 / 50,000 / 10,000 (50/100 where death results), plus no-fault and uninsured motorist coverage |
| Helmet law | New York has a universal helmet law. |
Fault and Insurance in New York
New York is a no-fault state. PIP (no-fault) benefits cover up to 50,000 dollars in medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. To sue for pain and suffering, the injury must meet the serious injury threshold defined in N.Y. Insurance Law section 5102(d), which lists nine categories. Notably, motorcycles are excluded from no-fault, so injured riders can sue immediately without meeting that threshold.
Minimum liability coverage is 25,000 / 50,000 / 10,000 (50/100 where death results), plus no-fault and uninsured motorist coverage.
How Shared Fault Works in New York
New York applies pure comparative negligence, meaning you can recover even if you are mostly at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault, codified at CPLR 1411. Insurers know these rules and often try to shift blame to cut what they pay, so understanding how fault is decided matters to the outcome.
The Filing Deadline in New York
Under CPLR 214, you generally have 3 years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim in New York. Waiting risks both the deadline and the loss of evidence.
Motorcycle Helmet Law
New York has a universal helmet law. All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear an approved helmet. Because motorcycles are excluded from no-fault, injured riders can pursue a claim without meeting the serious injury threshold.
Rideshare Coverage in New York
For Uber and Lyft crashes, New York provides up to 1.25 million dollars during an active trip, higher than the 1 million dollar standard in most states, plus 50,000 dollars in no-fault PIP.
Leading New York Cases
- Dufel v. Green, 84 N.Y.2d 795 (1995), which set the standard for proving a permanent consequential or significant limitation
- Wu v. Uber Technologies, Inc. (N.Y. 2024), which addressed service of process on rideshare companies
Local Context
Crashes happen across New York, from New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers to smaller towns and rural routes. Injury claims are typically handled through the New York Supreme Court (the trial-level court in New York), and driver and crash records run through the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Talk to an Accident Attorney in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Deadline to File a Car Accident Claim in New York?
New York allows 3 years from the date of the crash for most personal injury claims, under CPLR 214. After that, the claim is usually barred.
Is New York a No-Fault or At-Fault State?
New York is a no-fault state. PIP (no-fault) benefits cover up to 50,000 dollars in medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. To sue for pain and suffering, the injury must meet the serious injury threshold defined in N.Y. Insurance Law section 5102(d), which lists nine categories. Notably, motorcycles are excluded from no-fault, so injured riders can sue immediately without meeting that threshold.
How Does Fault Affect My Recovery in New York?
New York follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can recover even if you are mostly at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault (CPLR 1411).
What Is the Minimum Car Insurance in New York?
The minimum liability coverage in New York is 25,000 / 50,000 / 10,000 (50/100 where death results), plus no-fault and uninsured motorist coverage.
Related Guides
- No-fault vs at-fault states
- Statute of limitations by state
- Serious injury and verbal thresholds
- Motorcycle accident laws by state
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