New York Accident Attorney Recommends Auto Insurance Brush Ups

According to Ilchert, the best way to ensure that a driver’s auto insurance will protect them in the event of a motor vehicle accident is for the policyholder to take the time to talk to their insurance agent or a representative from their insurance company so that they can better understand their policy.

“The victim has nothing to lose,”

“Having auto insurance coverage is not only the law, but it is essential in the event that a driver is in an accident,” says Ilchert. “Much of the money that is awarded to our clients comes from the defendant’s insurance company.”

Ilchert says that, depending on the nature of an auto accident, victims may be eligible for compensation from the other driver’s insurance company. However, when a person is seriously injured in a car accident, he stresses that it is important for victims to consult an auto accident attorney before talking to an insurance company representative.

“If a person or their loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, they must consult a personal injury lawyer before talking to the insurance company that represents the individual that caused the accident,” says Ilchert. “While there are times when it is in a victim’s best interest to talk to the defendant’s insurance representative, there are other times where it may jeopardize the monetary award that victim is entitled to.”

According to Ilchert, victims of auto accidents that offer statements to a defendant’s insurance company, are examined by an insurance company doctor, or sign a release, may ultimately hurt their case. That is why, he says, it is important to consult a personal injury lawyer first.

“The victim has nothing to lose,” says Ilchert, “because a quality accident attorney will offer a free consultation.”

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The Ins and Outs of Car Insurance Deductibles

One of the easiest ways to save money is to adjust insurance deductibles. A deductible, to put it simply, is the money you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company kicks in and pays its part. When it comes to automobile insurance, or any insurance for that matter, it's critical that you set smart deductibles for yourself.

Yes, there is some guesswork involved. But armed with the right information, you can set the right deductible that protects you against big losses for a reasonable insurance premium. All to often, people chose a deductible because of the result it has on their monthly premiums: the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. While cost is certainly an important consideration, here's some additional information to consider before making your decision.

The Basics of Insurance Deductibles

Generally speaking, you're in control of how much auto insurance you carry. Some minimum amounts of liability are, however, mandated by state law. And if you have borrowed money to purchase your vehicle through a bank or credit union, the lien holder will require that you carry this coverage.

Another basic precept is that auto insurance is a tool to protect you. And everyone has different ideas of how much protection he or she needs — or, risk tolerance. Those who are risk averse are likely to carry a lower deductible. Those with less aversion to risk will typically have higher deductibles. The amount you pay your insurer each month directly correlates to how much risk you are asking them to take on, and how much you are willing to take on yourself.

The more you have to lose, the more protection you'll need. That's the operating statement.

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Flemington man, 23 others charged in Pennsylvania car insurance scam

Twenty-three people from New York and New Jersey -- among them a Hunterdon County man -- have been charged with fraud after claiming to be Keystone State residents in order to save money on car insurance, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

Also charged in the rate evasion scheme is a Reading, Pa., woman, the news release says. It was not immediately clear why she is charged.

Rate evaders are out-of-state residents who provide false information to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in order to obtain state driver's licenses or vehicle registrations, the release says. They use the state-provided documentation to obtain Pennsylvania insurance policies for their vehicles, the release says.

Attorney General Tom Corbett estimates that rate evaders account for $12 million to $15 million worth of insurance claims each year on Pennsylvania policies. That leads to higher premiums for everyone, he said.
“Because of differences in automobile insurance premiums and coverage requirements, some New York or New Jersey drivers can save anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per year by falsely claiming to live in Pennsylvania and insuring their vehicles here,” Corbett said.

“The real financial losers in this scam are the honest drivers of Pennsylvania, whose premiums increase when their insurance companies pay claims for drivers who lied about living in our state.”


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New York Auto Accident Lawyer Offers Tips On What To Do After A Motor Vehicle Crash

“When someone has just been the victim of an automobile accident, their mind is usually racing, as they try to get a grip on what just happened,” says George W. Ilchert, Esq., a partner with Lurie, Ilchert, Mac Donnell and Ryan, LLP
a car accident law firm with experience in New York auto accident cases. “The most pressing decision for a victim, following the accident, is what to do next.”

What an accident victim does next, he says, may shape their future.

“The first and most important thing that a victim must do following a motor vehicle accident is call the police,” says Ilchert. “The accident report that the police will generate will prove crucial if the accident results in some type of litigation.”

Next, Ilchert says that if the victim of an auto accident has been injured in any way, it is imperative that the individual seek immediate medical attention.

“Some auto accident injuries may be immediately apparent, while others may take days to develop,” says Ilchert. “It is best, following an auto accident, to request that an ambulance take them to a hospital for evaluation.”

Ilchert reminds accident victims that even if they have been given a clean bill of health from emergency room staff members, they should follow up with their own physician for further evaluation.

Of course, Ilchert says that the accident should be reported to the victim’s insurance company as soon as possible.

“However, accident victims should never accept a settlement offer from any insurance company before speaking with an accident attorney,” says Ilchert. “A good accident attorney will offer a free consultation to accident victims. So, it is imperative that a victim consult a personal injury attorney following an accident.”


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Woodhaven residents track cars with non-New York license plates parked for extended periods

Fed up with out-of-state cars that hog parking spots for weeks at a time, a group of Queens residents have pledged to take matters into their own hands.

Members of the Woodhaven Residents Block Association will now track cars with non-New York plates and report them to their home states if they are parked in the same spot for extended periods of time.

"We started looking for outside-the-box solutions for some of the quality-of-life issues," said Edward Wendell, president of the association. "One resident said she hasn't been able to get a parking spot on her block for over a year."

It's unclear whether these vehicles belong to visitors or local residents who illegally register them in states such as Florida or Maryland where car insurance is cheaper.

Parking is at a premium in the densely populated neighborhood, where the streets are lined with single-family homes and Jamaica Ave. is a major shopping and commuting destination.

During a recent meeting of the block association, members were asked to air their top gripes about the neighborhood. They rattled off a list that included illegal dumping, illegal conversions and late-night house parties, Wendell said. But parking remained one of the biggest problems.

"This has been going on for a long, long time," said Maria Thompson of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corp. "We feel that if they park in New York streets, they should have New York license plates."

The block association is asking residents to contact them if they see a vehicle with out-of-state plates parked on the street for more than a month. They will contact the state's motor vehicle agency, via phone and mail, and ask them to investigate whether the vehicle is legally registered.

After a Daily News report revealed that the city was failing to collect millions of dollars from out-of-state vehicles racking up parking tickets, the Finance Department inked a deal last year to collect fines from vehicles registered in a dozen states.


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