New York Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in New York — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, New York-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in New York before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
3 Years
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
No-Fault (Serious Injury Threshold)
No-Fault Auto?
Yes
Min. Liability
$25,000 / $50,000
Worth knowing in New York
New York is a no-fault state. This is one of the two states where the CarInjuryLaw.com network's own attorneys are directly licensed.
The deadline to file in New York
New York generally gives injured people 3 years from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How New York handles fault
New York's system centers on no-fault coverage: your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash, and you can pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries meet a legal threshold.
No-fault vs. at-fault in New York
New York is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
Minimum insurance in New York
Drivers in New York must carry at least $25,000 / $50,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in New York? Talk to a New York-licensed attorney.
CarInjuryLaw.com is a referral service. We'll connect you with a vetted attorney admitted in New York for a free case review — no cost and no obligation to hire.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in New York?
New York's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 3 years from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a New York-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is New York a no-fault or at-fault state?
New York is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the New York crash?
New York's system centers on no-fault coverage: your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash, and you can pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries meet a legal threshold.
What is the minimum car insurance required in New York?
New York's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $25,000 / $50,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the New York insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.