Teen Crash Victims in Steuben Likely Face Insurance Problem

Details of events that led to the crash of a five seat car packed with nine Steuben County teenagers are sketchy.  Police authorities say alcohol was a factor (not suprisingly, unfortunately).  While we should all hope that those who were injured will recover their good health, chances are excellent that there is insufficient insurance coverage available to compensate the injured passengers.

In New York, when you purchase auto insurance, the policy conatins a limit for the total amount the company will have to pay out for any one event/crash, and further limits the amount a single person may recover under the policy.  It is usally exrpessed as $100,000/$300,00.  This means that the most the company will pay to any one person injured in the crash is $100,000, but that the most the company will pay to all people injured in the crash is $300,000.  Its easy to see how, with nine people hurt in the accident, that there might not be enough insurance avaiable to adequately compensate the victims for their injuries.  Keep in mind that the minimum required coverage in New York is $25,000/$50,000.

Let's hope that the families of those injured were wise enough to purchase Supplementary Underinsured Motorist coverage under their own auto policies.  Let's also hope that they hire a smart lawyer who knows how to deal with complex insurance issues like this.

I will pick up on this again on Monday, as I am heading to the Adirondacks for the 4th.  Let's pray there aren't anymore tragedies in the meantime.