The Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnity Corporation (MVAIC) is an agency of the State of New York that was formed to provide benefits to injured persons when there is absolutely no other coverage available. MVAIC provides No-Fault benefits to cyclists injured in a bicycle crash with a motor vehicle when:
- The motor vehicle has no available No-Fault insurance (an uninsured vehicle); and
- Neither the injured cyclist, nor any resident relative, has an auto policy (or non-owner policy) of their own; and
- The injured cyclist has no private health insurance coverage.
In these circumstances, MVAIC will provide the statutory minimum personal injury liability coverage ($25,000) and the statutory minimum No- Fault coverage ($50,000).
In order to successfully file a claim with MVAIC, a police report will need to be filed within 24 hours of the crash; an MVAIC claim must include, among other things, a complete Notice of Intention of Claim, No-Fault application, and Affidavits necessary to establish coverage.
Once filed, an MVAIC claim will proceed much the same as a claim with an insurance company that has a minimum coverage policy. Experienced personal injury attorneys like The Accident Network Law Group in Riverside, CA area can help in case one needs to get legal aid in case of any accident or injury. So if you get involved in accidents like this, make sure to contact an accident attorney or personal injury lawyer right away.
New Jersey has a similar agency called The New Jersey Property-Liability Insurance Guaranty Association (PLIGA). Although similar to MVAIC; PLIGA has different benefit amounts and has different requirements.
MVAIC and PLIGA benefits are a great asset to cyclists injured in a bicycle crash. However, the process of obtaining these benefits can be fraught with obstacles. Experienced bicycle crash attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to guide you through the entire MVAIC / PLIGA process. Contact bicycle crash attorneys for immediate guidance from bicycle crash incidents.