Why Raising New York Auto Insurance Minimums Matters for Buffalo Accident Victims

Most Buffalo drivers assume that if they're injured in a car accident, insurance will cover their costs. Unfortunately, that assumption is often wrong. New York's state-mandated minimum auto insurance limits are dangerously outdated and were set decades ago, long before today's medical costs, vehicle repair expenses, and economic realities. As a result, seriously injured crash victims throughout Western New York are frequently left with unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and long-term financial hardship—even when the at-fault driver had "legal" insurance.

The Real Cost of Buffalo Car Crashes Far Exceeds Insurance Coverage

Motor vehicle crashes impose an enormous economic burden across New York State and the country. The total cost of crashes exceeds $340 billion per year, yet only about 54% of those costs are paid by insurance companies. Severe injuries common in Buffalo car accidents and truck accidents—such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, multiple fractures, or permanent disabilities—can exhaust minimum liability coverage almost immediately. The remainder is paid by injured individuals, healthcare providers, charities, and taxpayers for costs that insurance simply does not cover.

New York's Minimum Insurance Limits Are Stuck in the Past

New York still requires minimum liability limits that were set decades ago. Coverage for an injured person in a New York car accident can legally be as low as $25,000. These limits have not kept pace with inflation, medical advances, or rising vehicle repair costs that affect Buffalo-area accident victims. A single emergency room visit at Buffalo General or ECMC, diagnostic imaging, and a short hospital stay can easily exceed this $25,000 minimum bodily injury limit. This leaves Western New York accident victims uncompensated for surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and long-term care.

For seriously injured victims—those suffering brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or multiple fractures from truck accidents or severe car crashes—the inadequacy of New York's insurance minimums becomes even more apparent.

Raising Minimums Does Not Drive Up Premiums for Buffalo Drivers

One of the most common arguments against raising insurance minimums is that it will cause premiums to skyrocket for responsible Buffalo drivers. But data shows that states which raised their minimum insurance requirements experienced auto insurance cost increases that were lower than the country as a whole over equivalent periods. In short, higher minimums did not translate into higher premiums for drivers.

This means Buffalo-area drivers can have better protection without facing significantly higher insurance costs.

Higher Minimums Do Not Increase Uninsured Driving in New York

Another concern is that higher required coverage will lead more New York drivers to forgo insurance altogether. Research shows the opposite. States with higher minimum insurance requirements tend to have lower rates of uninsured motorists, and in fact, the majority of states that raised minimums saw the number of uninsured drivers decrease.

This matters not only for Buffalo car accident victims but for all Western New York drivers. Fewer uninsured motorists means fewer uncompensated injuries and fewer costs shifted onto responsible drivers and taxpayers.

Raising Minimums Protects Buffalo Families and Accident Victims

Increasing New York's minimum insurance requirements is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect car accident and truck accident victims throughout Buffalo and Western New York. It ensures that injured people have a meaningful chance to recover medical expenses, lost income, and other damages without being forced into financial ruin. It also reduces the burden placed on Buffalo-area hospitals like ECMC and Sisters Hospital, public programs, and families who are otherwise left to fill the gap.

From a public policy standpoint, raising insurance minimums aligns legal requirements with real-world costs in 2025. From a human standpoint, it means fewer Western New York victims left holding the bill for someone else's negligence.

The Bottom Line for New York Accident Victims

Auto insurance is meant to protect people when the unthinkable happens. When minimum coverage levels are too low to accomplish that purpose, the system fails the very people it is supposed to help—including hardworking Buffalo families.

Raising New York's auto insurance minimums is not about increasing costs. It is about fairness, accountability, and ensuring that injured people are not left without meaningful compensation after a serious car crash or truck accident. The data is clear: higher minimums protect victims, do not significantly raise premiums, and do not increase uninsured driving. It is time for New York insurance laws to reflect modern realities.

Contact a Buffalo Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured by an underinsured driver in Buffalo, Amherst, Cheektowaga, or anywhere in Western New York, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and explore all available sources of recovery. At Feroleto Law, we have been fighting for injured people throughout the Buffalo area for more than 30 years.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you don't pay unless we win your case.

Call us today at (716) 854-0700 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation with a Buffalo car accident lawyer.