ALBANY – First responders like firefighters are seeing soaring costs and increased risks under New York’s trial-lawyer friendly car accident liability laws, Gov. Kathy Hochul charged Friday.
Hochul — who has been deadlocked with the state Legislature over the issue — doubled down on her proposal being negotiated as part of New York’s weeks-late budget at the Westmere Fire Department in Albany.
She said staged car accidents are causing the insurance companies to calculate more risk, and therefore driving up rates across the board — including at any business or agency that uses vehicles, such as firefighters.
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Insurance costs for the fire department spiked to $12,000 this year, from roughly $7,000 in 2023, Hochul said, adding fiscal pressure onto the long list of demands facing emergency services personnel.
“That is extraordinary growth, and I don’t think you’ve gotten into more accident over that time,” Hochul said to the firefighters standing beside her.
“I’m sure it has nothing to do with anything that you have done, other than the cost of the liability claims and the out of control insurance situation is putting a real cost on all of you here,” she said.
Hochul’s proposal is also looking to change the legal definition of “serious injury” in order push back against fraudulent claims, some of which stem from staged crashes and bogus medical claims.
“You have to drop everything and go respond, putting yourself are in danger, to a staged accident,” Hochul said.
“You are on the front line of having deal with this spectacle.”
Hochul’s proposal has received support from major fire and emergency servies unions as well as the State Police Police Benevolent Association – all of which cite financial and safety concerns.