Governor claims trial lawyers are exploiting victims to oppose her auto insurance reform proposals
NYC Today
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is accusing the powerful Trial Lawyers Association of lying about her plan to change the legal definition of 'serious injury' in order to cut down on fraudulent insurance claims and lower car insurance costs for drivers. Hochul claims the trial lawyers are using a handful of accident victim cases to falsely claim her proposals would negatively impact legitimate victims, which her administration says is not true.
New York drivers currently pay the highest car insurance rates in the nation, with insurance fraud estimated to raise premiums by up to $300 per year. Hochul's proposed reforms aim to address the growing problem of staged accidents and fraudulent claims, which have spiked 80% over the past 5 years. However, the influential trial lawyers lobby has been pushing back against the changes, which could impact their profits.
Hochul's plan would change the legal definition of 'serious injury' to reduce frivolous claims, and cap damages for uninsured drivers, those convicted of impaired driving, or those with felony convictions related to the accident. The trial lawyers group presented several victim cases they claim would be negatively impacted, but Hochul's team reviewed the cases and said none would actually be affected by the proposals. The trial lawyers have deep ties to the Democratic-controlled...
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